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Pacific News In Brief For 20 June 2025
New Caledonia - cocaine
The French Directorate General of Customs says 67 kilograms of cocaine has been seized in New Caledonia between April and May this year.
Local media reported the operation resulted in the discovery of more than 500 kilograms of narcotics at various ports across the region.
New Caledonia and French Polynesia Customs took part in a joint operation with the Australian Border Force, New Zealand Customs, the US Homeland Security Investigations and Jamaica.
At the end of March this year, 142 kilograms of cocaine was seized in French Polynesia.
It was found packed in insulation panels of a refrigerated container bound for Australia.
Fiji - domestic violence
Fiji police have reported 105 cases of family violence against women and children for May 2025.
More than 200 women had crimes committed against them - 11 percent of these were sexual offences and 89 percent were assault-related.
Seventy-two of those crimes were from a spouse or partner.
One hundred and 14 children had crimes done against them and more than two-thirds of those were sexual offences.
Five police officers were charged with offences during the month - including one facing charges of unlawful supply and import of illicit drugs.
Police said there was a 14 per cent reduction in overall crime which is ahead of its 10 per cent target.
Fiji - election workers
The Fijian Elections Office says FJ$44,000 - about US$20,000 - in temporary worker payments from the 2018 General Election remain unpaid.
FBC reported this has come to light during the Public Accounts Committee submission on the election office's 2021-2022 Audit Report.
The election office's financial controller said the delay was caused by incomplete employee information for some of the 12,000 temporary election workers.
The office said they are closely coordinating with the Fiji National Provident Fund to verify the remaining employee data to fast-track this process.
Papua New Guinea - mining
The mining company New Porgera is celebrating achieving its production targets, despite the impact of continuing lawlessness and a devastating landslide in the region.
The new company, run by Barrick Gold, but with a significant PNG Government shareholding, replaced the former company after a lease dispute shut it down for more than three years.
The Porgera region of Enga Province experienced the devastating Mulitaka landslide, which claimed many lives and shut the main road link out of the district.
There have also been extensive law and order issues that resulted in a state of emergency being implemented, and dozens of arrests being made, many for illegal mining within the mine pit.
Papua New Guinea - prisons
The Papua New Guinea Correctional Service has signed an agreement with the Department of Education which will see education and training programmes rolled out in jails across the country.
NBC reported that the memorandum highlights the vital role education plays in restoring dignity, instilling hope, and creating opportunities for those seeking a second chance.
The rollout of structured learning and skills training within prisons is expected to transform lives behind bars.
Acting corrections commissioner Bernard Nepo called the initiative a lifeline for inmates.
