Financial Crime World

EXCLUSIVE: Papua New Guinea’s Enforcement Officers Receive Bribes to Ignore Human Trafficking, Involved in Drug Trade and Illegal Arms Trading

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Corruption Runs Deep in Papua New Guinea’s Law Enforcement Agencies

A shocking investigation has uncovered a widespread problem of corruption within Papua New Guinea’s enforcement agencies. According to sources, enforcement officers regularly receive bribes to ignore human trafficking, and some are even directly involved in drug trafficking, illegal arms trading, and the theft of fuel.

Foreign Actors Dominate Criminal Activity

Foreign actors, particularly Asian crime syndicates, play a dominant role in organized criminal activity, mainly in the drug trade and human trafficking markets. Private sector actors, such as those involved in logging, also cooperate with criminal organizations and are considered high-risk for money laundering.

The investigation has also uncovered that real estate and legal professionals in Australia have been identified as facilitators of money laundering, while banks aid and abet these illegal activities by providing financial services to criminals.

Papua New Guinea’s Economy Under Pressure

Papua New Guinea’s economy is heavily driven by agricultural, forestry, fishing, and mining, but the country’s growth prospects are significantly challenged by political instability, global uncertainty, and legal disputes over resource projects.

Limited Support for Victims of Organized Crime

The investigation has also highlighted the limited support provided by the state for victims of organized crime, particularly those affected by human trafficking. Most services are provided by international and local civil society organizations, which lack resources and political will to effectively address these issues.

Media Environment in Papua New Guinea

The media environment in Papua New Guinea is relatively free, with journalists often criticizing the government and covering controversial topics like police brutality and state corruption. However, there have been cases of targeted abuse towards journalists, and some daily newspapers are accused of providing overly positive coverage to the government.

Conclusion

This investigation has exposed the dark underbelly of organized crime in Papua New Guinea, where enforcement officers are complicit in illegal activities and foreign actors dominate the criminal landscape. It is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to address these issues and provide support to victims of organized crime.

Funding Disclosure

This article was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.