Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Fagaima Larry Sanitoa has scheduled a hearing for next Thursday, September 3, to review the number of cases targeting illegal drug crimes and human trafficking reported by the Homeland Security Department- Oticide Division. Fagaima points out that upon review of the DHS 3rd Quarter Performance report, “the number of drug cases under the Oticide division appears unchanged from last year.”

His request was made to the American Samoa DHS director Vaetagaloa Glenn Lefiti in a recent email. Fagaima notes that his committee will also request the presence of the Acting Commissioner of Public Safety and the Chief of Customs to provide updates on all drug cases in their records. “A formal request will follow early next week.”

The committee’s concern is that “as the statutory and primary investigative agency targeting illegal drug trafficking within the Homeland Security Department, Oticide received statutory authority with limited arrest powers early last year to combat drug crimes and human trafficking. “Given the number of cases in your report compared to those from the Department of Public Safety, the committee needs to understand the measures your department has implemented and their subsequent results.”

Fagaima states: “Pursuant to ASCA 2.0602 (Cooperation of Government Agencies), please provide a report on all drug trafficking cases from January 2025 through July 2026, including their resolutions. Please submit this report by the end of this week, or by Tuesday, September 1, at the latest.”

The Chair is also asking that an update on ASDHS’ preparations for the upcoming hurricane season. “If time permits, we will also discuss this matter during the hearing,” Fagaima writes.

The Fono reconvenes on Monday, August  31st, to focus on the government’s proposed FY 2027 budget with joint budget hearings, while not formalized yet, are said to start on September 8th — day after Labor Day, which is celebrated this year on Monday, Sept. 7th.