The main suspect in Tthe alleged theft of more than $50,000 from the National Health Services (N.H.S.) has fled to New Zealand.Speaking to the Samoa Observer on the condition of anonymity, a government source revealed that the suspect in the case left the country last week.“I don’t know how she managed to leave with a stop order being served,” the source said. Yesterday, the Samoa Observer reported that up to 10 people are involved in the alleged theft.According to the source, a delegation from the N.H.S. Audit Department in Apia was on the Big Island from 17 until 20 November to investigate the matter. The General Manager, Leota Laki Sio was contacted for comment last week to confirm this investigation.He was emailed again yesterday to confirm whether or not the suspect had indeed fled the country. He did not respond at the time of press last night.According to the source, the new investigation is focusing on claims that the money was used by officials on themselves.“They misused the funds instead of banking into the N.H.S account, they used it on personal things. Now an official has been appointed and has bought this issue to the attention of the N.H.S.”In describing the alleged theft, the source said the staff used it like a loan scheme - which was stumbled up by the newly appointed senior accounts clerk who then reported it.“They used it without the authorities knowing it, then when this new person came she found it out because they were using money from the revenue,” the source said.“You know the revenue from mortuary fees from dispensaries from the hospitals and consultation fees. One of the tactics they used was they altered the receipt numbers from the mortuary.“For example if the mortuary bill was $800 tala they would put a number ‘2’ on top of the eight so it looks like 200.”The source says it is time for the Government Audit office to step in and investigate the issues in the office.This is not the first time for the Savai’i N.H.S. operations to hit by theft.