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The Catholic Church in Samoa has suspended a priest and a deacon pending an internal investigation into their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Archbishop Moses Vittorio Tuohy told samoa observer The suspension took effect three weeks ago on Sunday as a precautionary measure.
“The investigation is to establish whether there is evidence to support the allegations, to reduce the risk of future incidents and to be fair to church figures who have made the allegations,” he said.
“If the investigation finds them not guilty of the offences they have been charged with, then they will be reinstated in their roles with the Ministry of Defence.
“If this is indeed the case, the church will take appropriate action.”
The archbishop said the suspension would last until an internal church investigation is completed.
Police confirmed that they have not received any formal complaints regarding the involvement of religious leaders in drug cases.
The allegations against the priest and deacon surfaced in July after a student was charged with possessing methamphetamine at school.
They were serving at a rural Catholic church and their suspension meant another priest was temporarily assigned to the parish.
The use and distribution of illegal drugs is causing deep concern across the Pacific.
Samoa’s Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says the Government must lead by example in addressing the country’s drug problem.
He said police are currently monitoring pharmacies because methamphetamine is made from acetaminophen.
Fiji’s Minister for Women and Children advises Reintroducing the death penalty for large-scale drug traffickingtriggering different reactions from the public.
In the nine days to August 17, Tongan police arrested 17 people on suspicion of importing methamphetamine.
Matangi Tonga The reported charges also included planning to sell and distribute the drug.
The Tonga Police Narcotics Squad seized a total of 6.1 kilograms of drugs believed to have been imported from the United States during raids on August 9, 13, 14 and 17.
The suspects charged include a customs official, a prison officer, an inmate, two Comanchero gang members and a local businessman, the news outlet reported.
New Zealand police arrested Every member of the Christchurch Comancheros gang has been killed in a drug bust.
Police said five kilograms of class A drugs, 11 firearms and ammunition, about NZ$250,000 in cash, 11 vehicles and an Auckland property were also seized.
Earlier this week, A 27-year-old Canadian was caught trying to enter New Zealand with 9.9kg of methamphetamine in his luggage.
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