Smuggler Who Hid 99gms of Meth in Milk Powder Jailed for 4 years 

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 21 April 2026: Supreme Court Justice Leutele Mata Tuatagaloa has sentenced 39-year-old Filipo Filipo of Lalovaea and Magiagi to 4 years in prison for the importation and possession of the illegal drug methamphetamine and the possession of a scale and utensils.

Defence counsel asked for 5 years as a starting point for sentencing; however, Justice Tuatagaloa took the prosecution advice of 8 years due to the seriousness of the offence.

Justice Tuatagaloa said it was the first time the Court has dealt with a substantial amount of illegal drugs which is almost 100 grammes.

She also noted that Filipo lied when he told the Court that he brought the illegal drugs into Samoa for his own personal use which did not corroborate the Alcohol and Drug Court report on him.

In November 2025, the Ministry of Customs and Revenue intercepted a shipment of 99 grammes of methamphetamine concealed inside a Milk Powder container from American Samoa.

The street value of the 99 grams was estimated at ST$100,000.

According to Customs, the way the package was concealed indicated the continued efforts by offenders to smuggle illicit drugs into the country.

Filipo was arrested together with another suspect, a Filipino woman during the police investigation.

Filipo now serves 4 years at the Tanumalala Prison.