The caretaker Minister of Police unveiled a comprehensive strategy to combat the nation’s escalating methamphetamine ("ice") crisis, targeting drug trafficking networks through strengthened law enforcement and international collaboration. 

Faualo Henry Schuster announced a multi-faceted plan, which includes expanded maritime surveillance, advanced detection capabilities, and cross-border partnerships aimed at disrupting the supply chain of the highly addictive substance.  

A critical element of the strategy is the deployment of specialised drug detection resources. Samoa will receive two narcotics-sniffing canines from New Zealand, with additional dogs to be trained in New Zealand to be brought to Samoa, significantly enhancing screening operations at ports of entry. 

These K-9 units will be instrumental in intercepting concealed methamphetamine shipments arriving by air and sea. Simultaneously, Samoa Police will see an increase in personnel dedicated to narcotics investigations, ensuring a more robust response to drug-related crimes.  

In a landmark development, Samoa has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to bolster maritime interdiction efforts. 

Under this partnership, American vessels will assist in patrolling Samoan territorial waters, while officers from Samoa’s Nafanua patrol boat will receive advanced training alongside U.S. counterparts. This collaboration aims to enhance Samoa’s capacity to identify and intercept suspect vessels transporting illicit drugs.  

To further secure the nation’s maritime borders, construction will begin on a new Maritime Police dock in Aleipata, serving as a strategic base for coastal surveillance operations. 

The facility will focus on monitoring high-risk transit zones between Samoa and Tutuila, a known corridor for drug smuggling. Additionally, a second Maritime Police station has been established in Tuasivi, Savai’i, equipped with two patrol boats to improve rapid response capabilities.  

The methamphetamine epidemic has had severe repercussions in Samoa, contributing to rising criminal activity and straining public health resources. Faualo emphasised that these measures represent the initial phase of a sustained, long-term campaign to dismantle trafficking networks and reduce demand. He has also called for public vigilance, urging citizens to report suspicious behaviour as enforcement operations escalate.  

 With these initiatives in place, the police aim to significantly curb the influx of methamphetamine, safeguarding communities from the drug’s destructive social and economic consequences. 

The success of the strategy will depend on continued interagency coordination, regional cooperation, and proactive community engagement.