Samoa Customs officers have intercepted 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside a box of frozen chicken, after a targeted operation on Saturday uncovered the illicit shipment arriving from American Samoa.

In a statement, the Ministry of Customs and Revenue confirmed the discovery was made on Saturday and described the concealment method as another example of the tactics used by organised criminal groups.

“The concealment method demonstrates the continued attempts by criminal syndicates to smuggle dangerous drugs into Samoa through seemingly ordinary goods,” the Ministry said.

Customs officers secured the shipment immediately and followed standard enforcement procedures. The man who imported the consignment was detained and later handed over to the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Service together with the seized drugs “for further investigation and prosecution,” according to the Ministry.

The Ministry commended the frontline team involved in the interception, noting their proactive approach in screening high-risk cargo.

“The Ministry acknowledges the vigilance and professionalism of frontline Customs officers, whose proactive risk-profiling and inspection efforts prevented these harmful substances from entering our communities,” the statement said.

Authorities say Samoa Customs continues to strengthen its border security through improved intelligence sharing, advanced inspection technologies, the K9 Unit and cooperation with domestic and international law-enforcement partners.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to keeping illicit drugs out of the country, stating it remains focused on “protecting Samoa’s borders from illicit drugs and safeguarding the wellbeing of all Samoans.”