Canberra - Medianet International-AsiaNet/ - The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has stepped up the fight against transnational crime in the Asia Pacific region with today's opening of the Micronesia Regional Transnational Crime Unit (TCU).
The Micronesia Regional TCU is a joint initiative between Australia, the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, and the opening has been welcomed by Micronesia's Secretary of Justice Maketo Robert.
It is the sixth to open in the Pacific region, and is linked to a network of existing TCUs in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
The AFP first forged a relationship with the United States Hawaii-based Department of Defence Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF West) in 2004 to create a more proactive criminal intelligence and investigative presence in the Pacific.
AFPs Manager International Network Paul Osborne said the TCU network allows law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, and to profile and target transnational crime groups operating across the region.
The fight against transnational crime can only be successful through strong collaborative partnerships and effective law enforcement intelligence, Commander Osborne said.
The AFPs engagement in the Pacific is focused on long-term capacity building, and addressing issues such as the transportation of narcotics, people smuggling, child sex tourism and transnational sex exploitation.
The AFP has provided the Micronesia TCU with $300,000 of equipment and support, including a new vehicle, intelligence training and an AFP advisor for the first 12 months.
JIATF West has contributed $450,000 to the project for the refurbishment of offices including the provision of cabling, air-conditioning, furniture and computer and communications equipment.
JIATF Wests Deputy Director of Intelligence Gary Royster said the facility now had the level of technology required to fight transnational crime in the 21st century.
Media enquiries AFP National Media Team Phone: +61 2 6275
7100
SOURCE: Australian Federal Police
The Micronesia Regional TCU is a joint initiative between Australia, the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, and the opening has been welcomed by Micronesia's Secretary of Justice Maketo Robert.
It is the sixth to open in the Pacific region, and is linked to a network of existing TCUs in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
The AFP first forged a relationship with the United States Hawaii-based Department of Defence Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF West) in 2004 to create a more proactive criminal intelligence and investigative presence in the Pacific.
AFPs Manager International Network Paul Osborne said the TCU network allows law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, and to profile and target transnational crime groups operating across the region.
The fight against transnational crime can only be successful through strong collaborative partnerships and effective law enforcement intelligence, Commander Osborne said.
The AFPs engagement in the Pacific is focused on long-term capacity building, and addressing issues such as the transportation of narcotics, people smuggling, child sex tourism and transnational sex exploitation.
The AFP has provided the Micronesia TCU with $300,000 of equipment and support, including a new vehicle, intelligence training and an AFP advisor for the first 12 months.
JIATF West has contributed $450,000 to the project for the refurbishment of offices including the provision of cabling, air-conditioning, furniture and computer and communications equipment.
JIATF Wests Deputy Director of Intelligence Gary Royster said the facility now had the level of technology required to fight transnational crime in the 21st century.
Media enquiries AFP National Media Team Phone: +61 2 6275
7100
SOURCE: Australian Federal Police
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