A 43-year-old Samoan national holding a New Zealand passport was detained in Apia after being found with 90 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at Faleolo International Airport on February 12, 2026.[1][2]
The man, who resides in Australia, arrived on a Fiji Airways flight and was intercepted during routine border clearance; officers found six bottles containing marijuana along with a cannabis grinder and rolling papers in his possession.[1][2]
The Ministry of Customs and Samoa Police said in a joint statement that the items were detected during standard screening by frontline officers and seized under the Customs Act and Narcotics Act.[1] The man was held in custody for further investigation and questioning as authorities warned travellers that importing illicit drugs carries severe penalties under local law.[1][2]