7 Apr 2009

Samoa Police Chief promises action over smuggling and trafficking claims

4:09 pm on 7 April 2009

Police in Samoa are to call a gun amnesty in the wake of a report on Television New Zealand that guns are being smuggled into the country from America.

The report also alleged that methamphetamine is being smuggled into Samoa from New Zealand by gangs boosted by youths deported from the U.S.

The Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru, has told reporters an investigation is underway and one man has so far been arrested.

He says the border is being well monitored by customs and the police using sniffer dogs, but he admits there is a possibility of drugs and guns being smuggled into Samoa using non commercial forms of transport such as fishing boats.

Papalii is calling for public assistance, especially for village councils, to report any suspicious activity on the coast.