Acting Chief of Customs Keith Gebauer, has called for closer working relations between the two Samoas in combatting the illegal drug trade.
Samoa Observer newspaper says Gebauer made the call in response to questions raised by the newspaper following the interception of a package containing methamphetamine at Fagali’i Airport last week.
Gebauer said that American Samoa customs does not inspect outbound passengers or freight.
He told the newspaper he was also not aware of any official enquiry from the Samoa Police department to the American Samoa department of Treasury, Customs Division.
Gebauer said,“It would be inadvisable to comment on what appears to be an open case.”
He said that ideally this was an area where the two countries can learn from one another.
“improving enforcement of border security measures and the intercepting of illegal drugs and contraband are in both our countries’ best interest,” Gebauer said.
Two men in their 40s were arrested at Fagali’i airport after customs officers intercepted a package containing drugs.
Samoa police also confirmed that one of the accused has a history of drug related convictions.
