The lack of resources and security in the Pa Enua to tackle transnational crimes were the key factors driving community leaders from the outer islands to participate in the Transnational Organised Crime workshop held in Rarotonga.

The Pa Enua community leaders along with members from government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are participating in the three-day workshop facilitated by the Australian National University’s Pacific Security College.

The workshop held at the Arepua Community Centre in Takuvaine is to help countries build local capacity.

Tura Mariri, a representative from the island of Atiu, highlighted the need for such courses to be taught in the Pa Enua especially because they lack resources and security.

Tura Mariri, a representative from the island of Atiu. TALAIA MIKA/24092407

“What I’ve learnt from this workshop is basically to teach or educate our young children and even all generations about transnational organised crime,” Mariri said.

“And we find it very interesting because back in the outer islands where we’re from, we don’t have Customs and that much security when it comes to crimes especially drugs and that’s a big concern for us in the outer islands.

“Hence, we look for opportunities like these to gain whatever we can even if it’s just knowledge, to upskill us on how to deal with these things.”

According to earlier reports, Cook Islands alongside other Pacific Island nations are known to be the maritime corridor used for illegitimate drug trade between Australian, Asian and American markets.

A graph released by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, a global network of investigative journalists with staff on six continents, indicates that Cook Islands waters are used as transhipment zones by these drug cartels.

According to Mariri, it is rumored that the island of Atiu is being used as one of the transit points for drug transportations and the drug situation on the island is getting worse.

“And again, we’re just an outer island with limited resources so these things matter greatly to us even if it’s just rumors,” he added.

Danielle Watson, the associate professor at Queensland University of Technology and facilitator of this week’s workshop, explained that the course she was teaching was aligned with the nation’s needs.

Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology and workshop educator, Danielle Watson. TALAIA MIKA/ 24092408

Cook Island is looking at developing its National Transnational Organised Crime Strategy and the course being held in Rarotonga for the first time is timely.

Watson said: “This course is basically bringing stakeholders together to talk about Transnational Organised Crime and to share their views and concerns from both outer island perspective, Rarotonga perspective, as well as the stakeholders from law enforcement agencies, stakeholders from health, airport security, different ministerial departments.”

She added that the workshop was a direct request from the Cook Islands Government to help build local capacity in this area.

“The workshop involves content sharing, discussion sessions, reflection activities and group work around identifying or coming up with strategies to deal with not just existing issues but perceived threats to Cook Islands as well. A lot of conversations have been going on about the possible threat posed by returning residents from other countries who may have involvement in criminal activities and what Cook Islands government needs to be aware of as well as the stakeholders,” Watson explained.

“One of the things we were talking about is the possibility for wash up drugs and (that) shows where you have Cook Islands waters being used as a transshipment and what exactly happens or does not happen in the maritime space and how do you get community members more involved in responding to the threat.”

As Cook Islands is currently engaged in discussions about extracting minerals from the seabed, the workshop also looked at the possible implications that could have for transnational organised crime networks, according to the educator.

“We’re not saying there are any, but in terms of making sure the stakeholders are present, who are not a part of the conversation that should be here,” Watson added.

“We’re going through key areas relevant to discussions about Transnational Organised Crime and framing that strategy, looking at what the regional architecture looks like and how the regional architecture should or could inform what happens at the national level.

“As you know, Cook Islands has a national security strategy. It’s one of the few countries that has their own strategy and we’re looking at building on that, what would need to be done in terms of the groundwork to develop that Transnational Organised Crime strategy.”

The Pacific Security College offers a suite of micro-credential courses across the Pacific to enhance regional capacity in various areas. One of these courses is focused on transnational organised crime.