Three people charged for allegedly bringing into Samoa the largest consignment of methamphetamine have pleaded not guilty when they appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday.

Roderick Mackenzie who was represented by Leone Su'a-Mailo entered a not guilty plea to all 18 charges against him.

This was also the same case with Hanipale Malae who also entered a not guilty plea to all 18 charges against him by prosecution through his lawyer Afa Lesa.

The third defendant Jacinta Selafi Chang-Kwan also through her counsel Quentin Sauaga pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges.

Judge Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma adjourned the matter for hearing on the week commencing 1 September 2025.

The three defendants were told their bail conditions remained and to reappear on the mentioned date for a hearing and not re-offend.

The police on 30 January seized more than $4 million worth of crystal methamphetamine at the wharf in a container belonging to a supermarket in Lotopa. This was seen as a major victory in Samoa's ongoing battle against drug trafficking.

The meth was discovered concealed inside packets of Lifesaver candies and had come on a ship which had made port in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo in a recent interview with Samoa Observer revealed that the businessman had been on the police's radar for some time before the bust.