Saturday 22 November 2025. Apia Samoa, Press Release. Earlier today, the Ministry of Customs and Revenue through its Customs and Border Control Services, successfully intercepted a shipment containing 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine from American Samoa.
The illicit drugs were discovered concealed within a box of frozen chicken in a shipment that arrived from American Samoa.
“The concealment method demonstrates the continued attempts by criminal syndicates to smuggle dangerous drugs into Samoa through seemingly ordinary goods,” said CEO of Samoa’s Ministry of Customs & Revenue, Fonoti Talaitupu Lia Taefu.
Following the discovery, Customs Officers immediately secured the consignment and initiated standard Customs enforcement procedures.
A male individual who imported the shipment was detained and has since been handed over to the Ministry of Police, Prison and Corrections Service, along with the prohibited substances, for further investigation and prosecution.
“The Ministry acknowledges the vigilance and professionalism of frontline Customs officers, whose proactive risk-profiling and inspection efforts prevented these harmful substances from entering our communities..
“Customs continues to strengthen its enforcement capabilities through enhanced intelligence-sharing, advanced inspection technologies, the K9 Unit and close cooperation with national and international law enforcement partners..
“The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to protecting Samoa’s borders from illicit drugs and safeguarding the wellbeing of all Samoans.”
At his weekly program with the media on Friday, Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt raised the prevalent drug problem in Samoa as one of the most pressing issues facing the nation.
The Prime Minister told the media that he thought this would be a key issue for media, however, no questions were raised regarding the growing prevalence of methamphetamine in Samoa.
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