Kash Patel brings FBI muscle to NZ as meth epidemic grows
Patrick Drennan, FBI director Kash Patel’s secret South Pacific Tour, a new FBI office while fighting the region’s worsening methamphetamine epidemic.
FBI President on July 30 Kash Patel He flew to the South Pacific to raise the profile of America in the region. Australia and New Zealand Five Eye Intelligence sharing alliance, together with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. After a secret line to Australia, Where did he meet Australian Interior Minister Tony BurkeHe flew to New Zealand
New Zealand is a small country and Patel’s plane immediately It was seen at Wellington Airport By rookie reporter. However, privacy was usually preserved and even the Minister of Finance Nicola Willis He was surprised to see “Many handsome men in suits that look like their weapons” (Patel’s surroundings) in parliament offices, known for love Beehive.
Patel met with the heads of New Zealand Spy Agency, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Senior Ministers Winston Peters (In the picture in x). He later announced that FBI would open an office at the American Embassy in Wellington.
The strengthened embassy is just on the way to the 150 -year -old road ST Paul Church. The church has a record and flag, mention New Zealand II. Many Pacific countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have strong military and historical connections with the United States.
And like many Pacific countries, New Zealand is faced with the scourge of imported illegal drugs. The assistance of a special FBI unit in the region is generally welcomed.
New Zealand Customs and Police Working with American officials on June 25 Methamphetamine and Cocaine Import Unqualified luggage to the country. Transport is over 270 million dollars. Fifteen baggage processors were arrested.
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are drowned with class A drugs, not only in cities, but to all levels of society.
Fiji is directly among the countries that attract some of the world’s highest illegal drug prices between Australia and New Zealand. In January 2024, the Fiji police seized three tons of methamphetamine, hundreds of millions of dollars. The children used and sell these drugs.
One in Tonga methamphetamine epidemic With consumption that is believed to have reached the levels of all Tongan society, including church ministers, civil servants, politicians, local chefs and police. One Last investigation He was only eight years old.
Award -winning television New Zealand Reporter Barbara Dreaver He made a series Research Reports He was surprised at the increase in the use of methamphetamine in Samoa and how widespread it was. Some families reported that they were trading people to pay drug debts to their children.
Therefore, while the extra aid in the law enforcement officers was welcomed, Patel mentioned China’s need to resist the increasing political influence in the Pacific region. New Zealand Defense Minister, Judith Collinsimmediately I went to defense. First of all, China is the main trade partner of New Zealand and tens of years. They cannot clearly disturb the Chinese. China answered by accusing of having America “Cold War Mentality“.
Interestingly, the Trump administration announced a 5% tariff, as Patel’s plane was re -entering the Hawai airspace wage increase In New Zealand imports (10% to 15%). Inspectedly, Australia remained at 10%.
Nevertheless, New Zealand’s export to America decreasing In the last 12 months, some exporters already Leave the American market.
An exporter announced:
“We have a few agreements [with America] On the pipeline that the customer wants DDP [Deliver Duty Paid] However, we have reviewed them as CIF (Cost, Insurance, Navlun) so that they are responsible for all tariffs. I hope it doesn’t stop them from completing the agreements. “
Kash Patel was the first senior member of the Trump administration, who has visited the region since he took office. A visit that is a great concern for the South Pacific. Yes, he was not interested in help for the region, climate change and other important issues such as trade. Still welcomed.
Maybe the president after the hot welcoming in Scotland Donald Trump He also wants to consider visiting the first -class golf fields of Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EPOGGXCKN4
Patrick Drennan is a New Zealand journalist with an American history and economy degree.
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