Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A source is claiming that police have raided several homes around the LBJ hospital this week.

The individual who refused to be named for their own safety said the raid was conducted by the Vice and Narcotics division of the Department of Public Safety.

It’s reported that police have taken in more than five people.

The more than 20 DPS officers involved in the raid operation were armed, according to the source. 

Police allegedly confiscated methamphetamine, marijuana, cash, digital scales and glass pipes commonly used to smoke ice, among other drug paraphernalia.

Samoa News reached out to Deputy Police Commissioner Terry Letuli for confirmation, but an official on duty said he'd just left the office and would not comment.

The availability of drugs locally is one of most concerning problems for the youth of American Samoa, with many becoming involved in stealing to fund their ‘habit’.

With the graduation season on tap, the concern was raised by the Valedictorian of Faasao Marist High School- 2023, Helleina Maria Lucille Willis during an interview with Samoa News. She noted, “Drugs have become a big problem in American Samoa, so I hope in few more years there will be a lot less of this problem, as it is affecting our youth today.”

She believes that taking drugs is more of a personal choice, but one of the ways to help minimize it, is through outreach programs, to help people make right choices in life.

In neighboring Samoa, drugs are also beginning to capture headlines regularly. Currently, Samoa police suspect the interisland ferry (Lady Naomi) is a channel for drugs into the independent state, following a weekend raid of one of the hotels in Apia- town area.