SAMOAN police have started a crackdown on drug trafficking as methamphetamine use increases into what has been described as a pandemic.
Units have been deployed to monitor activity between Samoa and its closest neighbour, American Samoa, which is believed to be the source of most drugs.
Police have confirmed that American Samoa is the most common source of methamphetamine importation. The say children are being used to sell drugs.
With a porous maritime border, Samoa is only 40 kilometres from its neighbour and it is possible to cross between the territories in fast boats.
Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo described the widespread use and trafficking of methamphetamines as a national problem.
In January, Samoan authorities intercepted 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (worth almost NZ$2.5 million in street value) and arrested three people in connection with what was described by Samoa Observer as “the largest known drug smuggling operation” on the island.