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Seven former shipping employees to be charged
Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga has confirmed that investigations into the seven former Samoa Shipping Corporation sailors are ongoing. Still, it shows that all of them will be facing drug charges.
Leiataua said the investigation is halfway through, and after considering all the evidence gathered, they will all be facing drug charges.
He said that because the investigations have not been completed, the police have not come up with possible drug charges against these seven former employees of SSC.
The internal probe began after a February shipping trip between Pago Pago and Samoa was flagged for suspected involvement in the regional drug trade.
The sailors reportedly used their positions to smuggle and sell methamphetamine, with sources indicating they were earning up to $2,000 per week from the illicit sales.
All seven sailors were fired, and the case was officially referred to the Samoa Police Service for a criminal investigation. As of the latest updates, no formal charges have been laid.
The internal inquiry revealed that a senior employee suspected of supplying the drugs to the sailors passed away shortly after the investigation started, which family members described as a self-inflicted death.
The news sparked widespread reactions, with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt stating that the border-related drug allegations require a thorough, official police investigation rather than just internal company action
Speaking about the issue during his usual press conference in April, Laaulialemalietoa said it is not an issue to be taken lightly.
"They can terminate the employees, but they cannot investigate the matter; that's what the police are for," he said.
Laaulialemalietoa said he knew about the matter from social media, and he has already told the police to investigate, as it involves the international borders.
