The Minister of Police Faualo Harry Schuster says statistics on hard drugs show it is not increasing but the street value of ice has doubled over the years rejecting the possibility it is manufactured locally. 

For the first time, the statistics from the Ministry of Police on their drug raids was revealed by the minister werein Parliament this week. 

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill (no1) 2023-2024 was approved by the House on Tuesday night. 

During the Government's response to the supplementary budget debate, Faualo said there were eight raids in 2022 where a total of 11.32 grams of ice was confiscated, seven marijuana plants, 23 branches and 11 seedlings. 

In 2023 there 13 raids and 72.10 grams of ice were seized by Police, 1452 plants of marijuana, 115 branches, and 1814 seedlings. 

There was one raid at the beginning of 2024 and only 0.04 grams of ice was confiscated, 28 branches of marijuana, and 140 seedlings. 

Overall, Faualo said statistics on ice show it hasn’t gone up noting growing concerns about the problem. 

He made the comparison that 0.04 grams of ice can be compared to the size of a fingernail and the quantity had a street value of $100 tala but has gone up to $200 tala. 

The Minister said given the data collected by the Police shows hard drugs are not on the rise and believe it is being imported as opposed to being manufactured locally. 

In terms of suspicion that the drugs might have slipped through the sea during the time the Nafanua II was damaged, Faualo said there had always been a patrol on the sea at the time. 

He said the Australian Government had paid for a fishing vessel to patrol the seas in the absence of the Nafanua II and there was also assistance from New Zealand, Canada, France and the United States to monitor activities on the coast. 

The majority of the Members of Parliament (MP) raised concerns about the growing number of drug offenders in the country during the budget debate suggesting village councils to assist in curbing the issue. 

The Deputy Leader, Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre noted the statistics from the police. He said there is a concern about what the country is facing. 

He added there are reports of children being runners to sell the drug and the main reason behind activities is money. 

M.P. for Satupaitea, Lautafi Selafi Purcell urged the police to have an open mind in addressing the problem saying he believes that the drug is manufactured locally. 

Lautafi said there are different qualities of the drug and highly believes that the drug on the street is not pure but is affordable and manufactured by our people. 

“Anything is possible in this,” said Lautafi. 

“They are professional and highly qualified and advanced in technology…they are a very complicated group of people.”  

The M.P. for Faleata No.4, Ale Vena Ale spoke about a recent raid in Puipa’a and the village’s decision to banish the family and asked to vacate the land. 

Ale said they sought police assistance to have the family removed from where they resided but have been informed this was not possible under the law. 

“Why not, there must be a way to tackle it otherwise it is getting worse,” said the M.P. 

The Minister of Police interjected to explain that vacating families from their residence might be easy if they are living on customary land but not if they are on freehold land. 

He acknowledged the support from M.P.s and village councils to work together with the Ministry of Police to crack down on drugs.