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A priest and a deacon have been suspended by the Catholic Church in Samoa, pending an internal investigation into their alleged involvement in illicit drugs.
Archbishop Mosese Vitolio Tui told the Samoa Observer the suspension was effective three Sundays ago and was a precautionary measure.
"The investigation is to substantiate if there is evidence to support the accusations or not, and it is also to reduce the risk of future incidents and to be fair to church people who raised it," he said.
"If the outcome of the inquiry finds that they have not committed what they have been accused of, then they will resume their service with the ministry.
"And if proven, the church will take appropriate actions."
The archbishop said the suspension is up until the completion of the internal inquiry from the church.
Police confirmed they have not received an official complaint alleging the involvement of the religious leaders in a drug-related case.
The allegations against the priest and the deacon surfaced in July, following the charging of a student for having possession of methamphetamine at school.
They were serving a rural Catholic church and their suspension meant another priest has been assigned to the parish for the time being.
The use and distribution of illegal drugs is causing deep concern across the Pacific.
Drug addicts in Fiji injecting others blood
Leader of the Samoa opposition party, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said the Government must lead by example to tackle the drug problem arising in the country.
He said police are now monitoring pharmacies because methamphetamine is manufactured from paracetamol.
Fiji's minister for women and children has suggested re-introducing the death penalty for those who traffic large quantities of drugs, sparking mixed reactions from the public.
Over nine days to 17 August, Tonga police made 17 arrests over the alleged importation of methamphetamine.
Matangi Tonga reported charges also include the planned sale and distribution of the drug.
The Tonga Police Drugs Squad, in raids on 9, 13, 14 and 17 August, seized a total of 6.1 kilograms of the drug, believed to have imported from the United States.
The news outlet reported a customs officer, a prison officer, a prisoner, two Comanchero gang members and a local businessman, are among the suspects charged.
New Zealand Police have arrested every member of the Comancheros gang's Christchurch chapter in a drug bust.
5kg of class A drugs, 11 firearms, ammunition, about NZ$250,000 cash, 11 vehicles, and an Auckland property were also seized, police said.
Earlier this week, a 27-year-old Canadian was caught trying to enter New Zealand with 9.9kgs of methamphetamine in his luggage.