Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) location and resources make it attractive to global criminal syndicates.  Experts warn that drug and gold traffickers see PNG as a potential transit hub. According to the Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (FASU) Annual Report 2025, illicit finance in PNG is increasingly linked to transnational crime networks.  The report notes that “drug importation and distribution have expanded, with growing involvement of transnational crime syndicates” active in logging, fishing and illegal gold exports.  Global assessments agree: foreign actors, especially Asian syndicates, dominate PNG’s drug and human trafficking markets.  

Locally, porous borders pose a clear risk.  A recent security report highlights that PNG’s remote land and sea borders are a transit point for smuggled firearms, drugs and wildlife.  For example, authorities in PNG’s Western Province recently arrested three men carrying K50,000 (about US$15,000) worth of marijuana across the PNG–Indonesia border.  These cases suggest organised rings may be testing PNG’s defences. Questions are being raised on whether PNG is unwittingly becoming a hub for these networks and what can Papua New Guineans do to protect their shores from this.   

The report also highlighted that criminal groups operate across PNG’s borders, carrying out human, wildlife and drug trafficking. The report pointed out that cross-border crime is a major concern.  The report highlights expanding drug imports and active syndicate networks.  These syndicates often enable other trades, gang kidnappings for ransom and forced labour have been reported in remote areas.  Observers note that PNG’s weak border controls allow smugglers to run contraband by land and sea.     

Recent examples underline the threat.  In late 2023, armed criminals abducted 17 young girls from a Highlands village, holding them for ransom and sexually abusing them.  Traffickers also exploit PNG’s rich biodiversity, and rare parrots, reptiles and insects are being smuggled abroad in lucrative wildlife crimes.  Organised crime experts warn that PNG’s human and natural wealth make it vulnerable to these fast-growing criminal trades. 

How can PNG strengthen its borders and communities to stop traffickers exploiting our people and environment?