American Samoa’s Deputy Treasurer who is overseeing Customs, Keith Gebauer is calling on Customs and Border Control to work together to combat the smuggling of drugs between the two Samoas. 

He also made it clear the American Samoa Customs Officers do not inspect outbound cargos. 

Mr Gebauer’s response was sent in an email to Samoa Observer following the methamphetamine or ice package that was intercepted at the Fagali’i Airport. 

Last week, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner, Sala’a Moananu Sala’a, told the Samoa Observer that a package from American Samoa went through the scanning machine and Customs found methamphetamine (ice) in the package. 

Two men in their 40’s have been arrested and charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. 

Mr Gebauer told Samoa Observer it’s not general policy to comment on media reports before any pending investigations have been completed. 

“As of this email, I am unaware of any official inquiry from the Samoa Police Department to the American Samoa Department of Treasury, Customs Division. “As such, it would be inappropriate to comment on what appears to be an open case.

“While we were aware of the comments attributed to the Samoa Police Department's spokesperson, it would be inadvisable and unproductive to offer any comments without having all the relevant facts and information, especially, given the serious nature of the alleged criminal activity,” explained Mr Gebauer. 

He further noted that American Samoa Custom’s Division does not normally inspect outbound passengers or cargo. However “all inbound passengers and cargo are subject to review and searches as prescribed by our local laws.”

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