Drug bust at Airport

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 July 2017, 12:00AM

Two men aged 42 and 45 have been arrested and kept in custody in connection to the possession of methamphetamine found at the Fagali’i Airport this week.

The incident was confirmed by the Acting Assistant Police Com-missioner, Sala’a Moananu Sala’a, who said the Police were alerted by the staff at Fagali’i Airport on Wednesday.

“It was a package from American Samoa and the staff at Fagali’i Airport found out when the package went through the scanning machine,” said Sala’a.

“The Police were contacted right away and they quickly responded and confirmed that it was indeed meth, weighing 5.9grams.”

The Police said the men were arrested when they turned up to collect the package.

“They are scheduled to appear in the Supreme Court on 17 July 2017.”

Sala’a said they are still investigating how the package got through Customs in American Samoa.

“Something is not right with this picture and there are many questions at the moment."

“Maybe the staff in American Samoa did not check the package properly hence it was allowed to get here but all we are thankful and acknowledge the alertness of the airport staff who immediately informed us about what had happened.”

Sala’a added that the Police do not tolerate the importation of hard drugs such as meth into Samoa.

“This is a very serious offence,” he said adding that the Police will ensure lawbreakers are dealt with as harshly as possible under the law.

The Police also confirmed that the 42-year-old accused has had previous drug-related convictions.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 July 2017, 12:00AM
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