Fiji Airways passenger caught with drugs in Samoa

Samoa Customs officers have seized 90 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from a passenger who arrived on a Fiji Airways flight at Faleolo International Airport.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Customs and Samoa Police confirmed that a 43-year-old male passenger was intercepted during routine border clearance procedures shortly after arriving from Fiji.

The passenger, a Samoan national holding a New Zealand passport and residing in Australia, was allegedly found in possession of six bottles containing marijuana, along with a cannabis grinder and rolling papers.

Samoa customs said the items were detected during standard screening and examination processes conducted by frontline officers. The substances and associated paraphernalia were seized under the Customs Act and Narcotics Act.

The Chief Executive Officer of Customs commended officers for their vigilance, saying the interception demonstrated ongoing efforts to monitor passenger arrivals, including regional routes.

“We continue to utilize risk profiling, intelligence, and screening technologies to safeguard our communities from the harmful impacts of drugs,” the CEO said.

Authorities reminded travellers that the importation of illicit drugs and related paraphernalia into Samoa is strictly prohibited and carries severe penalties.

The suspected passenger is in Police custody for further investigations.