Overview:
Palau’s National Security Coordination Office says more than 70 foreign nationals were deported in 2025 as authorities cracked down on online gambling, scams and drug-linked operations. The report also details international intelligence-sharing efforts that led to arrests across the Pacific. Read the full story.
Intelligence-sharing with INTERPOL, Fiji, Macau and Hong Kong leads to arrests, deportations and disruption of drug and gambling syndicates.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (May 21, 2026) — Palau’s National Security Coordination Office reported major gains in combating transnational crime in 2025, including the deportation of more than 70 foreign nationals, the disruption of online gambling and scam operations, and intelligence-sharing efforts that contributed to drug arrests across the Pacific region.
According to the NSCO’s 2025 End of Year Report, the office intensified immigration screening and law-enforcement coordination following Presidential Directive No. 24-65, which authorized comprehensive vetting of visa, labor and foreign investment applications.
Between Jan. 2 and June 23, NSCO reviewed 701 visa applications, denying 139 and approving 562. Officials also reviewed 105 non-resident worker applications, denying 45 and approving 60. Seven Foreign Investment Board applications were screened, with three denied.
The report said investigations uncovered fraudulent documents, visa overstays and individuals engaging in activities inconsistent with their stated reasons for entering Palau.
NSCO coordinated several enforcement actions targeting suspected online gambling and scam centers operating in Palau.
One of the first operations occurred Jan. 7 at Lagoon Apartments, where authorities found 12 Chinese nationals on tourist visas allegedly conducting computer-related activities tied to a possible online gambling operation. Their employment applications under TRIM Inc. had reportedly been denied due to fraudulent documentation, and the individuals were later deported and added to Palau’s undesirable list.
A day later, inspections at the EU Investment Building in Ochelochel, Airai uncovered 11 Chinese nationals overstaying their visas. Investigators found passports locked in a safe and evidence of repeated attempts to reapply for work permits using fraudulent documents.
On Jan. 9, authorities raided Beluu Seaview Hotel and uncovered what the report described as an online gambling and scam operation involving nine Chinese nationals. Computers, mobile phones and Starlink equipment were seized during the operation.
Another raid on Jan. 24 at the Cocoro Building found 13 foreign nationals allegedly living and working on-site. The report identified businesses connected to the operation, including Galaxy Builders Co., Galaxy Designer Co., 3G Logistics & Transportation, 3G Cloud Mango, and Camsek Chin’s Computer and Programming Design Company. Authorities reportedly discovered ledgers, wallet accounts and messages consistent with illegal online operations.
The report stated that 184 individuals were ultimately placed on Palau’s undesirable list for alleged involvement in online gambling, drug trafficking, visa fraud and organized criminal activity.
Among those identified were Wang Shuiming, who was subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice and linked to Singapore’s multi-billion-dollar money laundering case; Cary Yan and Gina Zhou, Chinese-born Marshall Islands citizens convicted in a New York bribery case; and Cui Linbo, identified as a longtime businessman allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
The report also named Ginna Mukunghoa Choi, an FSM citizen and longtime Palau resident allegedly connected to an Asian drug syndicate.
NSCO credited international intelligence-sharing partnerships for several regional successes. Information shared with authorities in Fiji reportedly contributed to major drug arrests in Suva in September after persons of interest barred from Palau relocated there.
Cooperation with Macau and Hong Kong authorities also helped uncover a cross-border drug-trafficking syndicate, preventing 3.4 kilograms of methamphetamine from entering Palau, according to the report.
The office worked closely with INTERPOL and regional partners including Taiwan, Japan, Australia and the United States throughout the year through intelligence exchanges, training programs and security conferences.
Despite the successes, NSCO acknowledged ongoing challenges, including limited authority as a non-law enforcement agency and difficulties translating intelligence findings into criminal prosecutions.
