Police officers armed with automatic weapons started combing through the hills of Faleatiu on Thursday morning and ended their operation close to sunset.

It is believed the raid has to do with a recent shooting, where a life has been lost and the possible hunt for illegal firearms and drugs along with a suspect. Queries to seek confirmation from Police Commissioner Auapaau Logotino Filipo, remain unanswered.

There has been no official confirmation from the police; however, a visit to the site where the search started confirmed the police operation. Close to 30 police officers were part of the operation, and drones were also used to comb the area.

Police had to enter the hills from the Satapuala end, as there were initial fears of retaliation if the Faleatiu route had been used to enter the hills. Some residents were not happy, questioning the police’s need to use their residence as their base of operations for the day.

Faleatiu and the Samoa police have had a history of unsavoury moments where guns have been used. In 2012, three police officers were injured in a shootout that happened during a drug raid. The village was formerly known as a hub for marijuana farms and recently with meth.

In 2020, police captured two men who had been threatening villagers and firing gunshots within the village of Faleatiu.