Samoa’s caretaker Minister of Police has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to combat the country’s escalating methamphetamine (“ice”) crisis, targeting drug trafficking networks through strengthened law enforcement and international collaboration.
According to the Samoa Observer, Faualo Harry Schuster announced a multi-faceted plan, which includes expanded maritime surveillance, advanced detection capabilities, and cross-border partnerships aimed at disrupting the supply chain of the highly addictive substance.
A critical element of the strategy is the deployment of specialized drug detection resources. Samoa will receive two narcotics-sniffing canines from New Zealand, with additional dogs to be trained in New Zealand to be brought to Samoa—significantly enhancing screening operations at ports of entry.
In a landmark development, Samoa has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to bolster maritime interdiction efforts.
Under this partnership, American vessels will assist in patrolling Samoan territorial waters, while officers from Samoa’s Nafanua patrol boat will receive advanced training alongside U.S. counterparts. This collaboration aims to enhance Samoa’s capacity to identify and intercept suspect vessels transporting illicit drugs.
To further secure the nation’s maritime borders, construction will begin on a new Maritime Police dock in Aleipata, which will serve as a strategic base for coastal surveillance operations.
According to the Samoa Observer, the facility will focus on monitoring high-risk transit zones between Samoa and Tutuila—a known corridor for drug smuggling.
Additionally, a second Maritime Police station has been established in Tuasivi, Savai’i, equipped with two patrol boats to improve rapid response capabilities.
