15 Jan 2004

American Samoa warns against price gouging after cyclone

7:43 am on 15 January 2004

The American Samoan government has set up a task force to investigate allegations of price gouging in the aftermath of the Tropical Cyclone Heta.

Governor Togiola Tulafono says the Emergency Operations Center has already received public complaints about businesses implementing massive price increases since the cyclone struck.

The governor has warned that price gouging is illegal and breaches will be investigated.

The public has been urged to report any illegal actions, in particular price rises for food and bottled water.

Meanwhile, the health department has confiscated two million US dollars worth of frozen and other food from shops after the expiry of their best use by dates.