The Minister of Health, Va'aaoao Salumalo Alofipo, is supporting the police with their drug raids, even if they want to conduct them at the national hospital.

Speaking to some members of the media, Va'aaoao said, "I won't stop raids at the hospital."

"We stand together with the police to capture all drug suspects and work together to eliminate illicit drugs in Samoa," he said.

The minister was responding to questions after a raid that was reported by the Samoa Observer, conducted at the national hospital without a warrant.

The police were after a drug suspect from Matautu, Apia, and when they went to his residence, they were informed that he was admitted to the hospital.

As a result, the police then conducted a drug raid at the hospital without a warrant, in which the nurses argued with the police about it.

Samoa Observer can confirm that the order to conduct such a raid came straight from the Minister of Police and Prime Minister, La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.

Several sources at the police who are with the Tactical Operation Services told Samoa Observer that the raid was done without the knowledge of the acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, who is overseeing the police operation and this campaign of Saying No to Drugs.

Va'aaoaosaid he is supporting this one hundred per cent, and this is the only way the drug suspects will be captured and arrested.

There were more than eight drug raids altogether conducted by police since December last year, and the series of raids continues.