M.P. calls on A.G. for an investigation

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 26 October 2017, 12:00AM

The alleged violation of border control is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly by the government. 

As such Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai, is calling on the Attorney General to step in to investigate the release of five containers under falsified documents.

The containers were later confiscated by the Ministry of Revenue.

“This deal with border security breaches in our country, an issue the Attorney General, Lemalu Herman Retzlaff, should definitely look into,” he said. 

“Having the A.G. step in is a clear indication to the business community that this type of (alleged) criminal activity will not be tolerated by this government.  

“It’s clear from the Ministry of Police they have not been asked to investigate this matter. So now is the time for the Attorney General to step into this relatively important issue. 

“Up until now, we have not heard anything solid from the said Ministry aside from their internal investigation that was publicly announced by the Minister of Revenue Tialavea Tionisio Hunt who has been gone for the last three weeks.  

“Items were successfully smuggled into our country under false documents and this cannot happen. 

“By the time the Revenue Officials got a hold of the whereabouts of the containers there was only one left. 

“Who knows what was in the other containers that were not found?” said Olo Fiti. 

The containers were released on the Green Lane list, where the containers are not inspected on the Port but released based on trust between the Company and the Customs Office. 

“This practice contends border vulnerability and it leaves the country susceptible to even greater national security challenges if it continues,” said Olo Fiti. 

Efforts to get a comment from the Minister of Revenue was unsuccessful as of press time yesterday. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 26 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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