Samoa is considering a new gun amnesty campaign to try and arrest the rising number of illegal firearms in the country.
Guns seized in a previous amnesty Photo: Samoa Police
Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil had already implemented three since he became Commissioner in 2015.
Past amnesties allowed owners of unlicensed firearms and illegal ammunition and explosives to turn them in without risk of prosecution.
However illegal firearms continued to be a problem, seemingly alongside the growing illegal drugs trade.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reported a recent police raid on a home not far from Apia netted at least seven pistols and nine rifles.
Fuiavailili said they were working closely with Customs, Samoa Airport Authority and Samoa Immigration to enforce border control measures.
The commissioner also suggested there was a need to review penalties imposed on drugs and gun charges to make them stronger.
Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
