Reports from the public of drugs being traded at the market prompted the raid. Photo: Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services
Deputy police commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tia'i-Keti says police are concerned that drugs were found at Fugalei Market just a short distance away from an all girl's primary school.
Samoa Observer reports police conducted three drug raids in Apia last week netting marijuana and methamphetamine along with drug utensils and from one location cash and firearms were also seized.
Drug sniffing dogs were used at the market and soon found marijuana and methamphetamine but not the owners who must have dropped the drugs when they saw the police team.
Reports from the public of drugs being traded at the market prompted the raid according to Papalii who added they will again reopen an office at the market to monitor the illicit drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, three individuals were arrested at the other two raid locations where marijuana and methamphetamine were found.
A 31-year-old man of Fasitoouta and Faleasi'u was arrested during a police investigation of a domestic dispute at a home at Tulaele after methamphetamine and utensils were discovered.
Two men aged 38 and 33 were also arrested at a home in Alafua and jointly charged with possession of narcotics and have been remanded in custody until 11 March 2024.