Rising violence at Samoa's busiest trading area, Fugalei Market has led to police setting up a permanent office there with officers on duty 24 hours a day.
The minister in charge of the Accident Compensation Board which runs the market, says the market has become a centre for marijuana dealing, there are frequent outbreaks of violence and guns have been fired in the area.
Arrests of marijuana sellers are said to be a daily occurence, and the area is also known as a contact point for prostitution.
Police Commissioner, Asi Blakelock, says police have been keen to establish a 24 hour presence there for some time.
