Jakarta, Oct. 27 -- The United States has unveiled a $44 million funding package to assist Pacific Island nations in combating transnational organized crime, with a primary focus on curbing illicit narcotics trafficking.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) F. Cartwright Weiland said that the initiative was announced during the U.S.-Pacific Islands Conference of Police Ministers (COPMIN).

"That includes $7 million for a new regional crime-fighting center in Palau, which will sort of facilitate maritime enforcement training," Weiland said during a virtual press briefing on Tuesday.

The funding will also be directed toward strengthening regional financial intelligence units (FIUs...