K8 billion lost in illicit forestry activities under investigation

An estimated K8.78 billion lost through illicit forestry activities and suspected money laundering schemes is now at the centre of four major investigations under Operation Arcadia, a multi-agency crackdown supported by INTERPOL.

Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (FASU) Director Wilson Onea confirmed the cases are currently under active investigation through a coordinated framework involving Papua New Guinea law enforcement agencies with technical assistance from INTERPOL.

With enforcement action planned for 2026, public scrutiny has intensified over when arrests and prosecutions may begin and who will ultimately be held accountable for the massive financial loss linked to illegal forestry operations.

In terms of concrete steps, the cases are under inter-agency cooperation and ongoing investigation with technical support from INTERPOL. FASU cannot comment on operational details.

He confirmed there are currently four active cases but FASU cannot publicly identify them as investigations and possible prosecutions are ongoing.

FASU stressed it does not investigate or prosecute criminal offences, with that responsibility resting on law enforcement agencies.

He added money laundering offences are criminalised under the Criminal Code and investigated by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Cooperation with INTERPOL began in 2028 under the Law Enforcement Assistance Project supporting action on illegal deforestation and forest crimes, with training provided to agencies including Customs, Immigration, Internal Revenue Commission and PNG Forest Authority.

INTERPOL does not conduct investigations but provides technical support only.

Questions over lack of arrests were deferred to law enforcement agencies responsible for enforcement decisions.

Stronger accountability, ethical leadership and zero tolerance for corruption are needed to combat illegal exploitation of natural resources.

He revealed hundreds of banks accounts linked to illegal forestry crimes have been shut down through FASU actions, with suspicious transaction reports shared as Operation Acadia moves towards 2026 enforcement.