American Samoa's Homeland Security director commends Samoa for drug bust
The Director of American Samoa’s Homeland Security , Samana Ve’ave’a Samana, has thanked the authorities in Samoa for catching a Vietnamese woman who was caught with an estimated $400,000 tala worth of drugs at the Faleolo International Airport on Sunday night.
The woman arrived from Fiji with her final destination being American Samoa.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Samana said the drug problem in American Samoa is “almost out of control” and to hear news that Samoan authorities have intercepted illegal drugs heading to the U.S. territory is commendable.
Similar sentiments were echoed by American Samoa Commissioner of Police, Le’i Sonny Thompson.
“Obviously I want to thank Commissioner Egon and his team," he said.
"We’re doing everything we can from our end.”
Le’i declined to comment on their investigation efforts.
According to Samana, working with the Ministry of Police and the T.C.U. has been productive for the American Samoa Government, mainly on the issue of drugs.
“I cannot say enough how thankful we are for the efforts by the Samoa Government; whatever we missed at our end, was somewhat picked up from Samoa.
“And working together with the T.C.U. has been beneficial for the two Samoa’s,” he said.
Samana said the drug problem in American Samoa is appalling.
“We’re at the stage of reaching out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist with the drug problem in the territory.”