Samoa now a market on its own for illegal drugs

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 9 October 2025 – The Commissioner of Police, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo has stated that Samoa is now a market of its own for illegal drugs and is no longer a transit point in the drugs trade for other Pacific countries and beyond.

Speaking to the media after the launch of the “12 Months Say No to Illegal Drugs Campaign” on 8 October, Auapaau also confirmed that what used to be a transit point, is now a market of its own where illegal drugs can easily be accessed.

A few months ago, Auapaau named American Samoa as the source of the illegal drugs coming into Samoa and prompted strong reactions from the American Samoa lawmakers who demanded evidence for confirmation.

Concern for young users of methamphetamine
Auapaau said the concern now faced by the police and the whole country is the rapid increase in the number of people now going into drugs especially methamphetamine.

He said that since 2020, methamphetamine has taken over from marijuana and had dominated the local illegal drugs market.

He also noted one major change which is the growing involvement of younger people especially college students.

Some of the young street vendors suspected to be under 18 years of age have been flagged as drug pushers.

“The core root of all these is getting fast money and we have CCTV cameras around key places in town like the Fish Market where we detained some of them at the small restaurants around the area,” said Auapaau.

More women involved in drugs
Auapaau said they have also noted that the number of women involved in drugs have also increased.

“Some women have faced abuse at their homes because of drugs and are scared to report them to the police,” he said.

“We are currently working with the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) to encourage women and families to report such matters to the authorities.”

The “12 Months Say No to Illegal Drugs Campaign” is a joint effort of the Samoa Police and Australian Federal Police and was officially launched by the Acting Minister of Police & Prisons, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o who warned that the Pacific as a whole is not just a transit point for illegal drugs but a threat that is already on our shores.

“The Pacific is no longer just a transit point for illegal drugs; it is our shared Blue Pacific home. As these threats move closer, we must protect our shores not only with stronger borders but with stronger hearts,” she said.

“Actions must be taken not by one person, one village or one country, but everyone working together to ensure the safety and security for all,” she said