Senate president calls for probe into Samoa’s claim about meth trafficking

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean on Tuesday voiced his deep concern over claims made by the Samoa Police that American Samoa is the primary route for methamphetamine entering the Independent State of Samoa, and that children are being used to sell the drug.

Tuaolo addressed the matter at the close of the Senate’s morning session, just after announcing that the chamber would reconvene at 9 a.m. the following day. Normally, his gavel strike would immediately follow to mark the official close of session. But on that particular morning, he paused, almost as if the issue had just come to mind, and broke from routine to express his disapproval.

"Claims by the Samoa Police that they have confirmed that methamphetamine entering their country is from American Samoa do not sit well with me," he stated.

The allegations were first reported by the Samoa Observer and later re-published on the front page of the Samoa News on Monday, July 21, 2025, drawing regional attention and public scrutiny.

He argued that the government should investigate the matter thoroughly, emphasizing that such claims reflect poorly on American Samoa and must not go unchallenged.

The Senate President raised concern over the apparent lack of transparency, questioning why the Fono has yet to receive a single official report regarding incidents in which methamphetamine, smuggled into the Territory, was intercepted by law enforcement authorities.

The Senate President emphasized that all these incidents occurred during the previous administration. Yet four years have passed, and the Fono is still waiting for a single report.

“Where is the report on the meth that someone attempted to smuggle through the Post Office in mail addressed to the Office of Medicaid?” Tuaolo asked. “What about the meth that was discovered being funneled through the LBJ Procurement system? When are we going to receive a report on these unlawful incidents?”

Tuaolo referred the matter to Senator Olo Uluao Letuli, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, urging him to subpoena all government officials involved, including the Attorney General, for a hearing next week to shed light on the issue.

He reiterated that the public must not be kept in the dark, drawing a parallel to the controversial “Epstein List” case in the mainland United States, where citizens have demanded full disclosure of the names involved.

“This is a serious matter,” he emphasized. “I don’t take it lightly. These drugs were smuggled through government departments. This isn’t something we can ignore.”

Senator Olo has scheduled a hearing for 8:30 a.m. next Wednesday. Witnesses to be subpoenaed include the Attorney General, the Homeland Security Director, the Police Commissioner, and the Chief Customs Officer.