Female Drug Accused Released on Bail

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 19 December 2024 – A woman who pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of narcotics has been released on bail.

The accused was caught trying to smuggle drugs to her husband who is serving time at the Tanumalala prison. According to court documents, a package of drugs weighing 0.07 grams was found on her as she entered the prison facility and another package of 0.04 grams was found inside her car.

When she appeared in court last week, she made a verbal application for bail as she has young children aged 1 and 3.

Her parents also wrote to the court that she is the sole breadwinner of the family as her husband is in prison.

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma then instructed her to engage a lawyer to present a written application for bail then adjourned the matter to yesterday.

Bail was granted on condition that she surrender all her travel documents if any and sign in at the police station in Apia twice a week until her matter is recalled.

In a separate matter, a 16 year old boy arrested in a drug raid last week has been released on bail due to his age.

He was one of the 9 people arrested in three separate raids last week including a woman from Tufuiopa and others from Apia, Tulaele and Lepea.

All other accused are still in custody and will appear in court in February 2025.