More than 200 marijuana joints have been found on a private vessel which has been traveling between American Samoa's main island of Tutuila and the outer islands of Manu'a.
The MV Pago Pago, an old US Navy torpedo retriever, is owned by businessman Papalii Laulii Alofa and has been delivering equipment and supplies for a wharf dredging project being carried out by by Papailii's construction company.
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When the boat returned from a trip to Manu'a, a customs agent and accompanying drug dog boarded, searched it and discovered the drugs.
The vessel is registered as a recreational boat, but brought cargo and nine passengers from Manu'a that day.
Papalii says he requested customs conduct a search after it came to his attention that authorities suspected that drugs were being transported on local vessels.
KHJ News reported a raid of on a vessel from Manu'a last week discovered methamphetamine.
