Australia pledges $600m to fight drug traffickers as Pacific countries ‘caught in crossfire’

Australia is offering $600m to better fight the booming drug trade in the Pacific, the Albanese government has announced as regional leaders gather for a major summit in Palau.

Drug trafficking through the Pacific has soared in recent years, with Australian and international law enforcement agencies seizing more than 17 tonnes this year alone – almost four times the amount seized in 2025.

Pacific Affairs Minister Pat Conroy said on Wednesday that Australia’s smaller Pacific neighbours “are being caught in the crossfire”.

“The drug trafficking in this region is increasing in intensity and sophistication,” he told the ABC’s Radio National.

“This is a really challenging issue for the region, and Australia is stepping up to support the strong call from the leaders that was made initially last year but is expected to be debated today for more co-ordination and more resources.”

The money would underpin the Waqa Moana initiative and go towards boosting aerial surveillance to track suspected drug-running boats ferrying cocaine across the Pacific.

It would also support training other Pacific countries’ police forces and bolstering Australian Federal Police efforts to fight the South American cartels behind the narcotics.

Australia will officially put the initiative to the Pacific Island Forum later on Wednesday.

Mr Conroy was careful not to assume support, stressing that it “has been constructed as an opt-in approach”.

“But we’ve had a number of countries very interested already,” he said, speaking from Palau’s largest city Koror.

“This is a huge issue, but ultimately it’s up to each country to determine whether they want to participate.

“But Australia has heard the calls of the region and that’s why we are announcing this $600m package to provide enhanced aerial surveillance, to provide greater police and border training, including at scene interdictions, and to support greater, stronger legal frameworks to enable prosecution.

“We’re stepping up to support the region and we’ll be up to each specific to determine how they participate.”

Originally published as Australia pledges $600m to fight drug traffickers as Pacific countries ‘caught in crossfire’