Customs seize $6.3M worth of Meth from American Samoa  

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 13 December 2025: The Customs Office has intercepted and seized $6.3 million worth of the illegal drug, methamphetamine brought in by two separate travelers from American Samoa yesterday and today.

The latest drug bust was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of Customs, Fonoti Tala’itupu Taefu and the Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga at a joint press conference this afternoon.

Fonoti said a targeted operation identified a suspect arriving at the Regional Airport at Faleolo on the last flight from American Samoa.

Police were called in and assisted in the search when the man was reluctant to cooperate. The body search discovered a small bag concealed in the suspects underwear that contained five other packages which were tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 141 grams.

A 32 year old male of Vaitele and Nuu has been charged with possession and importation of prohibited goods.

141 grams of methamphetamine in five packages were hidden inside the suspects underwear.

The second bust was at the Matautu wharf on the Lady Samoa 4 return trip from American Samoa today where two large plastic bags containing 6.032 kgs of methamphetamine were well hidden inside a box of frozen chicken.

A 59 year old male of Toomatagi who is an employee of the Quarantine Office at Matautu has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and importation of prohibited goods.

Fonoti said the combine street value of the two separate busts is estimated at $6.3 million tala.

These two cases are the seventh methamphetamine interception at Samoa’s borders this year since the biggest bust of 9.4 kgs of meth was intercepted by a businessman in January this year.

6.032 kgs of methamphetamine that were hidden inside a box of frozen chicken

Two teachers among 18 arrested in latest Police raid
Meanwhile, Leiataua said police executed two other drug raids at Faleata area and another close to town where 18 people have been arrested.

“From the 18, 16 are in custody and 2 women have been released on bail, and some will appear in court next week and others next year,” said Leiataua.

Those arrested include a couple, both teachers, one at a Government college and the other who teach at a mission school.

Also confiscated from the accused are Samoan and US currencies, two unlicensed guns, illegal ammunition, illegal pistol, marijuana and utensils used for consuming drugs.

The Chief Executive Officer of Customs, Fonoti Tala’itupu Taefu and the Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga at a joint press conference this afternoon, showing off some of the illegal drugs and other items seized at the border and from police drug raids.

Public servants involvement a concern
Both Afamasaga and Fonoti are concerned with the involvement of public servants in key locations to assist the rapidly growing drug trade.

Fonoti noted that the drug dealers are using every way and using people working in government ministries and she emphasized the importance of seizing any drugs or any illegal materials at the borders before they finds their ways into the community.

Police have also stepped up their service and is urging the public to inform the ministry of any information about any drug dealings or activities.

Leiataua said they are also investigating issues on social media which includes a photo of a man sitting on a motorcycle with an M-16 gun.

M-16 is a forbidden firearm in Samoa and Leiataua said they did not find any firearm when they went to the mans house but police investigations are continuing.