By: Eustoria Marie Borja
KOROR, Palau – The Senate’s Judiciary and Governmental Affairs (JGA) Committee convened on Sept. 11, 2024, to address Palau’s escalating drug crisis. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) officials, alongside senators and behavioral health experts, pressed for an official declaration of a national emergency to combat the epidemic. Chief Everlynn Temengil from Behavioral Health led calls for more resources and manpower, urging the government to act swiftly.
Vice President and Minister of Justice Uduch Sengebau Senior voiced frustration with ongoing challenges in the country’s drug enforcement. She specifically referenced a statement from Director Tarkong in August 2024, which she claimed undermined the credibility of law enforcement by falsely implying discrepancies in drug seizure reports. “It is damaging to law enforcement and hinders our efforts,” Sengebau said, calling for the statement to be stricken from the record.
The hearing highlighted significant gaps in Palau’s ability to combat the growing drug problem, with Sengebau proposing stricter measures for law enforcement personnel. “Addiction requires treatment, but it cannot be tolerated within the police force,” she stated, suggesting officers who test positive for drugs should be immediately terminated.
The Ministry is grappling with a shortage of staff, with the drug enforcement team operating at less than half its required size. Chief of the Transnational Crime Unit, Kenny Sengebau, revealed that only eight officers are currently assigned to drug cases, far short of the 14 to 15 needed. The Attorney General’s Office, too, is strained, with just one prosecutor dedicated to handling drug cases. “We need more prosecutors and stronger collaboration between law enforcement and the judiciary,” said Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil. The lack of a local crime lab compounds the problem, with drugs being sent to Guam for testing, delaying prosecutions and causing some cases to be dismissed for exceeding the 70-day trial mandate.
The oversight hearing further revealed troubling issues within the police force itself. Sergeant Virginia Umayam, who oversees the MOJ’s drug testing program, reported that several officers tested positive for drugs in 2022 but continued working due to current legal protections. Sengebau reiterated the need for policy reforms, saying, “Stricter policies are essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability within the force.”
Senator Hokkons Baules emphasized the urgency of the crisis, urging Palau’s President to take more decisive action. “The President needs to put more effort into addressing the drug crisis,” Baules stated, echoing the sentiment of many lawmakers who view the situation as critical.