An investigation by a New Zealand journalist has revealed an apparently roaring trade in illegal drugs and guns in Samoa.

The investigation claims that profits from marijuana and methamphetamine smuggled into Samoa from New Zealand are being used to buy powerful weapons from the United States.

Kerri Ritchie of Radio Australia spoke with Security Specialist, Herman Loto Sakaria about the issue:

RITCHIE: The Makoi Boys is just one of the gangs operating in Samoa.
GANG MEMBER: They are looking for us, we are walking on the street, we’re looking at them, they were so scared,

RITCHIE: Its members are teenagers and men aged in their 20’s who have armed themselves with machetes, rocks and axes
GANG MEMBER: They want us to go to church and help our families.

RITCHIE: But instead of church, this gang spends its time on the street selling marijuana and methamphetamine.
INTERVIEWER: Are you the bosses of this area?

GANG MEMBER: Yes we want to own this area.
RITCHIE: An investigation by Television New Zealand has provided a worrying insight into Samoa’s gun culture.
Guns of all sizes are being smuggled into the islands from the states. They’re then sold from car boots, for between $300 and $1,500. One gang member, who was deported to Samoa after spending time in jail in the US, was surprised at the range of weapons on offer.

>GANG MEMBER: More than I thought, you know, I thought in the islands none of that stuff around here, but Samoa adapted real quickly. They moved up.
RITCHIE: Herman Loto Sakaria is a Security specialist based in Samoa.

SAKARIA: In Samoa, if you want anything, you can get it, if you really need a gun, you can find it.
There are so many people here, and we’re related to so many people and if south Auckland had access to the guns that you can get here in Samoa, south Auckland would be a war zone, or a different place and if kids were running around in south Auckland with AK47s they would not hesitate to pull the trigger, whereas here you can’t.

RITCHIE: Television New Zealand has revealed several major drug lords are operating in Samoa, their customers include people in powerful positions in the island nation.

One drug lord blamed young Samoans who’ve been living in New Zealand for causing all the problems, by selling drugs to kids on the island.
DRUG LORD: We do it under the table, we don’t go brag about it, we do it discreetly. The younger generation is going all over the place, it’s going out of control.

RITCHIE: This drug lord believes he’s above the law.
INTERVIEWER: What do you think of the police here?
DRUG LORD: I stay away from their business and they stay away from mine.

RITCHIE: There are about 500 police officers in Samoa.
Assistant Police Commissioner Lilo Taioalo says they’re looking into the concerns raised about gangs and illegal guns.  He says the gangs aren’t visible in Samoa and operate in darkness. He says guns are a problem everywhere, not just in Samoa.

Last year, Mr Taioalo’s boss, the police commissioner, was accused of smuggling weapons from American Samoa.
A commission of inquiry ruled that he should be investigated.
But Cabinet decided that he shouldn’t. The case was closed.