Samoa police conducted three drug raids in Apia last week, netting marijuana and methamphetamine along with drug utensils, while cash and firearms were also seized from one location.[1] Three people were arrested at the other two raid locations, where marijuana and methamphetamine were found.[1] A 31-year-old man of Fasitoouta and Faleasi’u was arrested at a home at Tulaele during a police investigation of a domestic dispute after methamphetamine and utensils were discovered.[1] Two men aged 38 and 33 were arrested at a home in Alafua and jointly charged with possession of narcotics, and have been remanded in custody until 11 March 2024.[1]

At Fugalei Market, drug sniffing dogs found marijuana and methamphetamine, but the owners were not found and are believed to have dropped the drugs when they saw the police team.[1] Reports from the public that drugs were being traded at the market prompted the raid, and police said they will reopen an office at the market to monitor illicit drug trafficking.[1]

Deputy police commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tia’i-Keti said police were concerned that drugs were found at Fugalei Market just a short distance away from an all girl’s primary school.[1]