Suspect in drug bust a Cabinet Ministers driver & member of Car Cruise Group

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 26 November 2025 – The suspect in the latest drug bust by the Ministry of Customs at the Matautu wharf is a member the Car Cruise group and the driver of a cabinet minister. He is now in police custody.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga confirmed at a joint press conference with Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Customs, Fonoti Talaitupu Lia Taefu today.

The consignment of 1.4kg of methamphetamine was found hidden inside a box of chicken shipped over on the Lady Samoa 111 return trip from American Samoa last Saturday.

According to Fonoti, the drugs were wrapped inside a bag with an envelope and placed alongside the chicken legs inside the box of chicken.

“The box of chicken went through the x-ray scanner where a parcel was noted inside and later identified as drugs,” said Fonoti.

She said it is not the first time the suspect has received parcels sent from American Samoa but this is the first time he’s caught with illegal drugs.

Besides the drugs, police confiscated $1393 found on the suspect on the day he was arrested.

Monitoring of incoming goods through the Xray at the Apia wharf.

Call for stringent checks at American Samoa border
It is not the first-time illegal drugs that originate from American Samoa, have been intercepted at the Matautu wharf or the Faleolo and Fagali’i airports.  

The American Samoa leaders were agitated when the former Police Commissioner Auaapau Logoitino Filipo pointed to American Samoa as the main source of illegal drugs entering Samoa.

The CEO of Customs, Fonoti Tala’itupu Lia Taefu told the media today that this could be an issue that cab be taken up in the regular Atoa o Samoa talks between the two governments.

The partnership between the Ministry of Police and Custom is not new but the increase of illegal drugs entering and intercepted at the borders has strengthened the partnership to keep Samoa safe.

Positive feedback on “Say No to Illegal Drugs” campaign
Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Keti gave a positive update on the “Say No to Drug Campaign.”

She said besides the media where awareness programs are conducted, several churches have reached out to partner with the ministry in the campaign.

The initiative is not only on awareness programs but also to inform the people of the legislations, the process with which illegals drugs are dealt with and the negative impact of drugs on people’s health and the negative social impacts.

“This is where the whole country needs to work together to ensure a better and safe Samoa,” said Papalii.