Fed: Three detention guards face drug charges in Nauru

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Fed: Three detention guards face drug charges in Nauru

The federal government has hailed the success of its Pacific solution for asylum seekers,despite a report calling for its abolition and three detention centre guards in Naurufacing drug charges.

The three security guards were charged last week amid a wider police investigationinto drug dealing in the camp.

A Senate committee report today called for the scrapping of the Pacific solution ofprocessing asylum seekers offshore.

The committee says the government should consider modifying its Pacific strategy toallow the removal of Nauru and Papua New Guinea as refugee processing destinations.

Labor immigration spokeswoman NICOLA ROXON says the report and drug charges highlightthe problems of the Pacific solution, which began in 2001.

But Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says the Pacific strategy has been a greatsuccess and has saved Australia hundreds of millions of dollars.

AAP RTV sl/rca/rp

KEYWORD: DETENTION (ADELAIDE)