The Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has this week signed a warrant to permit Samoa Police to be armed during raids particularly for narcotics which has become a prevalent issue in Samoa.
“O le vaiaso lenei ua ou sainia ai warrants ma faataga ai alii ma tamaitai leoleo latou te faaaupegaina i tulaga o osofaiga mo fualaau faasaina..”
The Peime Minister says access to elicit drugs has reached pandemic levels in Samoa, likening it’s sales to buying sugar on the streets.
“Ua mu saesae le tulaga lamatia o le atunuu, aloa fanau le atunuu atoa i le mataupu lea.
“Ua maua mai ripoti ua pei o le faatauga o le suka, ua mata’utia le o, o’i latou e sue tupe i ola o tagata.”
Laaulialemalietoa told local reporters at his weekly press conference that those involved are making money out of people’s lives and must be stopped.
“E le foi le Malo i le mataupu lenei, o lea foi ua faamanino mai e le faamasinoga e silia ma le 1200 talavou ua aafia mafaufau ona o le tagofia o fualaau faasaina.”
The Prime Minister said a Court report indicates more than 1200 youth have been found to be experiencing mental health issues from drug use.
“This is not a small number,” said the Prime Minister, “it is an issue that requires a holistic and nation-wide approach.”
“E le o se fainumera laititi i le vaai mamao a le malo, ae o se faafitauli e manaomia ai le tutĹŤ faatasi o le atunuu atoa.”
Recent reports and confiscated shipments of methamphetamine at Samoa’s border indicates a significant and concerning rise in illicit drugs in Samoa.
The Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Police says he has signed this warrant to authorise police officers to be armed when conducting raids or when they believe their safety is at risk.
The Prime Minister emphasised that if the government does not act now, the situation will worsen in the coming years.
Laaulialemalietoa further stated that one of the most troubling developments is the use of young children as runners in drug operations.
He added that where illicit drugs are found, illegal firearms are almost always present in the locations being raided.
He says the decision to arm police officers is also to ensure their protection and safety while carrying out dangerous operations.
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