The Acting Director of the Department of Homeland Security Vaotagaloa Glenn Lefiti said during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Monday that there’s discussion about putting the customs division under DHS.
But, he said, this is a decision to be made by the Governor and did not go into detail.
Senator Togiola Tulafono had asked Lefiti, who served as Chief of Customs for several years, about the possibility of making such a change to mirror the federal set up where customs is part of the US Department of Homeland Security.
Togiola said from his viewpoint Homeland Security was focusing more on drugs, but not so much on work with international and regional law enforcement agencies like Interpol and SPICIN to provide security. He asked the director nominee for his views on this.
This was Vaetagaloa’s answer…
Play Audio vaetagaloa-fusion-center
(Transc.) Vaetagaloa: Respectfully, we have what we call a fusion center. Now. The fusion center. A responsibility to reach out to all law enforcement agencies, whether it’s Interpol, the FBI, and, regional aspects. So we have the capacity at this point in time. I haven’t had the opportunity to take sit down and take a look at phone calls in the process. But we had that capacity, and we will, do it moving forward. Very important, especially in our region being the only U.S. position in the Southern hemisphere.
Vaetagaloa said he would be heading to Honolulu next month to meet with the Homeland Security Department there to discuss what assistance can be provided to the territory in light of President Trump’s plan to scale down law enforcement agencies like the FBI.
Senator Levu Iosia brought up the recent break-in where weapons were stolen from the customs warehouse. He said it was his understanding that if customs seizes weapons, they do a report then turn over the weapons to police.
Vaetagaloa said he doesn’t know what the process is now, but during his time, when prohibited weapons are seized, after five days, customs has to turn them over to Public Safety.
In reply to a question from Senator Tuanaitau Malaki Togiola about drug seizures when Vaetagaloa headed customs, the director nominee said there were about 10 drug seizures made through the canine program, and also through the mail.
Senators agreed with the plan to put the Customs Division, now under Treasury, under the Department of Homeland Security. Some senators claimed that customs agents were paid to look the other way and allow drugs to enter.
Senator Ma’o asked that the nominee ensure that background checks are produced in a timely manner, saying that this is delaying jobs for many applicants.
Senate President Tuaolo said Vaetagaloa was the son of the late Paramount Chief Lefiti Faafetai who served as Senate President Pro Tem. He said it was a joy to see that the children of the territory are now taking up leading positions in the government. Senator Muagututia Tauoa said he was proud that the sons and daughters of Tutuila and Manu’a are taking up leadership roles and steering the ship of of government.
Senators confirmed Vaetagaloa by a vote of 16-0.
