Ex-Convict’s Lifestyle Lead to Police Raid

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 10 JUNE 2022: An unemployed ex-convict’s lifestyle led police to his doorstep and another run with the law.

Police raided the suspects’ house yesterday and arrested him for the possession of drugs.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti said the accused leads an expensive lifestyle considering the car he drives and the latest security cameras and electronic devices installed at his home at Lotopa.

“This man is unemployed but he has in his possession expensive goods,” said Papalii.

From yesterday’s raid, police confiscated:

• A vehicle he drives valued at $60,000 tala
• Cash of ST$9024.50, US$374, NZ$90, AUST$20.00
• 5.14 grams of methamphetamine.
• Marijuana cigarettes, pipe utensils used for consuming drugs,
• Laptops, Ipads,
• Hard-drives and flash drives

Some of the electronics equipment confiscated by police.

The Deputy Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the accused has a history with illegal drugs and served 5 years imprisonment for a previous offence and he was released 21 February 2021.

The accused’s name is being withheld but Papalii confirmed he is from Lotopa and Vailoa Faleata.

He is currently under police custody on the holding charges of possession of drugs, and will appear in Court on 20 June 2022.

On a separate drug incident where 20 police officers were accused of being clients of an alleged drug dealer, Auapaau said 17 have been cleared and the investigation continues on the other 3 accused.