NZ's status as a 'cash cow' of Pacific meth market driving drug crises in region
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A transnational crime expert says New Zealand and Australia's status as the "cash cows" of the Pacific methamphetamine market is a driving factor in the drug cr

![About 1.1 tonnes of methamphetamine was found concealed in containers in the Fijian town of Nadi last year highlighting the Pacific drug crisis. Jose Sousa-Santos, associate professor of practice at the University of Canterbury's Pacific Regional Security hub, told Pacific Waves the "red flags" for the drug crisis were evident at least five years ago. He believes that “when you look at the issue of drug usage and criminality in Pacific Island countries and Pacific Island states themselves, the approach has to be different. It has to be culturally appropriate. It has to be context specific.” [Photo: Supplied/ Fiji Police] About 1.1 tonnes of methamphetamine](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fijimethbust.jpeg?itok=K_aiVlIv)





![COST.U.LESS is celebrating 30 years in American Samoa with a 3-Day Anniversary Celebration, taking place August 7th – 9th, featuring a $30,000 Shopper Giveaway. [courtesy photo] COST.U.LESS](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/cul_cooler.png?itok=w5zr3l_S)
![DOC Director Magdeline Lina Petaia, Treasurer Donald Kruse, and ASEPA Deputy Director William Sili, testified at a Senate hearing on the 32 unauthorized vehicles impounded by Customs at the airport warehouse since May. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] DOC Director Magdeline Lina Petaia and others](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_3184.jpg?itok=XlTDRzU1)

