A Fijian national who traveled from American Samoa on Wednesday is under police custody in Samoa following the discovery of illicit drugs and related paraphernalia at the Faleolo Regional Airport.
Customs officers intercepted a zip-lock bag containing methamphetamine and a pipe used for smoking the substance.
The passenger had arrived from American Samoa and was transiting through Samoa with New Zealand as his final intended destination.
Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo told the Samoa Observer police were conducting interviews with the suspect and finalizing charges, which could include possession of illicit substances, possession of drug-related utensils, and smuggling.
A statement from Customs confirmed that the illicit drugs were detected during routine inspections and the passenger was immediately detained, and the matter referred to Police for further investigation.
Last July a Filipino woman who traveled from American Samoa was caught with methamphetamine while transiting at Faleolo Airport.
She was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of unlawful ammunition. Following a guilty plea in February, Arianne Fae Timblique was fined $4,000 tālā.
Photo: Samoa Customs
