About $6 million tala worth of crystal methamphetamine was discovered in a case of chicken from American Samoa on the Lady Samoa’s sailing last Saturday. In a separate incident, a 32-year-old man who arrived on the last flight from America Samoa at Faleolo Airport Friday was found with five packets containing 141 grams of meth hidden in his underwear.
A 59-year-old government quarantine officer of Toomatagi has been arrested in connection with the drugs found in the case of chicken, reported to be the second-largest shipment discovered at the Matautu wharf this year.
Chief Executive Officer of Customs Fonoti Talaitupu Lia Taefu said a previous drug bust saw connections linked to an Officer of Customs, and now the discovery at the wharf has led to the arrest of a quarantine Officer.
The traveler found with methamphetamine in his underwear was searched as part of a targeted operation. Fonoti said the concealment of the drugs in the suspect’s underwear demonstrates the determination of criminals to smuggle illicit drugs into Samoa through any concealment method including hiding it in their private areas. The two suspects will have their initial courts appearances next February.
On November 22, Samoa customs discovered 1.4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in a case of chicken that arrived on the Lady Samoa. In less than a week, on November 27, they found 99 grams of ice in a can of Coffee Mate creamer that also arrived on the ferry’s return trip from American Samoa.
