Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo denied receiving a letter from  Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava, the Chairman of American Samoa's House Committee on Public Safety, Search and Rescue and Correctional Facilities, asking for evidence on claims about the importation of meth from Pago Pago.

"I haven't received such a letter, but I can say that there is strong evidence that supports my claims," said Auapaau.

"There are some Samoans now serving time at Tanumalala Prison who testified and gave evidence that American Samoa was the destination they received their hard drugs. 

Auapa'au said American Samoa has no jurisdiction in Samoa, and this is something the government of Samoa should look into so that the two Samoas can work together.

"I will wait for the letter, but I stand by my comments made earlier that there is strong evidence to support that Pago is the other main destination of drug importation in Samoa."

The letter which is dated 11 August, 2025, Avagafono wrote to Auapa'au saying that the comments made by Auapa'au to the media, saying the methamphetamine epidemic (ice) in Samoa is due, in part, to drugs imported from American Samoa, and this has caused deep concern among members of the American Samoa legislature, government agencies, and the people of the territory.

"Let me respectfully state that such claims are serious and, unless supported by concrete evidence, are highly damaging to the reputation of American Samoa, a United States territory that upholds strict drug enforcement policies and border control procedures," the letter said.

"These comments, unfortunately, appear to be baseless and not grounded in verifiable facts."

Avagafono said American Samoa convened a committee hearing to investigate these claims. 

He said during this hearing, testimony was received from relevant government departments, including customs, public safety, and law enforcement officials.

"It was clearly stated that American Samoa is neither a producer of methamphetamine nor a known point of origin for its export to Samoa or any other country."

Avagafono urged Auapa'au that if the police have credible evidence to support the claim that drugs are being trafficked from American Samoa to Samoa, the information should be shared with the American Samoa Legislature and appropriate enforcement agencies.

"We are committed to investigating any legitimate concerns and taking appropriate action where necessary." However, we urge caution against making public accusations without substantiation, as they risk undermining the good standing of American Samoa and its people."

"Going forward, we believe that this shared issue of transnational drug trafficking requires deeper cooperation, not division between our two Samoas," the letter said.

Auapa'au said he will reply once he receives the letter from the American Samoa Legislature.