Apia – 25 July 2025 – A claim by Samoa’s Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo that American Samoa is the main source of methamphetamine coming into Samoa, is not sitting well with lawmakers.

TalaNei reports that Rep Ape Mark Asifoa raised the issue in the House of Representatives on Monday saying that the claim does not reflect well on the government and territory.

He said the House should question Customs and Homeland Security about this claim and if there’s any evidence to support what has been reported from Samoa.

Ape said the Fono has approved investigative and arrest powers for Customs and Homeland Security and he questioned what’s the use of these arrest powers if drugs are coning in and going out of the territory.

On Tuesday, Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu said this is not the first time that such a claim has been made by Samoa and he believed it was necessary for official communication to be made with Samoa to explain the basis to back up that the territory is the gateway for drugs entering Samoa.

The Vice Speaker also felt that the House should question what has happened to many drug cases that have not been prosecuted. He said some of those implicated have been elevated to high positions in the government.

Speaker Savali Talavou Ale said he too was saddened by the statements by Samoa’s police Commissioner and added that such a claim should be backed up by evidence. He supported holding a hearing with officials from Public Safety, Homeland Security, Customs and the Attorney General’s Office to discuss the claim by Samoa and also find out the status of the drug cases that the Vice Speaker brought up.