Overview:
Palauan law enforcement officials have strengthened their ability to combat financial crime following specialized training in Thailand, where participants gained hands-on experience in tracing illicit funds, analyzing financial intelligence, and building prosecutable cases through a U.S.-supported program.
From February 23–27, 2026, Detective Sergeant Harline Solang Stark, Police Detective Jolanda Warren, Customs Officer Haque Blesam, and FIU Compliance Officer Jeremy Lee represented the Republic of Palau at the Financial Investigative Techniques Course in Bangkok, Thailand. The training was delivered by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) program under the U.S. Department of State to combat transnational crime, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance global law-enforcement cooperation.
The Palauan participants shared that the course provided practical, hands-on skills essential to modern financial investigations. Training included methods to trace illegal income, document money-laundering activity, analyze Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) data, utilize international investigative tools, and build a complete financial-crime case—from initial analysis through search warrants and prosecution.
The United States Government is honored to continue its close partnership with Palau to enhance investigative capacity, strengthen the rule of law, and support efforts that safeguard communities from crimes that threaten economic stability and public trust.