Police have warned that sharing false and defamatory information on social media is illegal after claims circulated online alleging a Member of Parliament had been caught in a drug raid in which marijuana and methamphetamine were allegedly found.
In a press release issued on Sunday and signed by Acting Commissioner Leausalilo Norman Tuafale Meni, the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) said no such raid had taken place and that no Member of Parliament had been involved in the alleged incident.
The Samoa Observer understands the allegations circulating on social media were directed at Associate Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2, Motuopua'a Henny Papali'i.
“The Samoa Police, Prison and Correction Services wishes to address and correct a defamatory post currently circulating on Facebook alleging that a Member of Parliament was caught in a police raid where marijuana and methamphetamine were found in his house,” the statement said.
“We categorically state that these allegations are false and baseless. No such raid has taken place, and no Member of Parliament has been involved in the alleged incident.”
