FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ----

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in response to a request from the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Congressman has asked the U.S. Postmaster General, The Honorable Marvin T. Runyon, Jr., to investigate the theft of controlled substances from the U.S. Post Office in American Samoa.

The stolen package contained methamphetamine and marijuana which was being sent to federal authorities in the United States for forensic testing. The Commissioner and his staff have repeatedly requested a federal investigation but there has been no response from the U.S. Postal Service.

In his letter to the Postmaster General, after recounting the February 13th theft and an earlier theft of drugs which also remains unsolved, Faleomavaega said, "This is a very alarming situation which I find intolerable. I believe you will agree that it is essential that the postal service provide a secure method of transporting evidence for criminal trials between prosecuting authorities."

"I find the failure of the Postal Service to investigate promptly this felony to be very troubling, and urge you to take whatever action is necessary to investigate the February 13th theft and to ensure the integrity of the U.S. mail between American Samoa and Hawaii," concluded the Congressman.