Drug Offender Gets Six Months Jail Time & 18 Months Probation

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 10 November 2026 – 54-year-old Mataio Filipo Aeau of Falealupo has been sentenced to 6 months for the possession and selling of marijuana.

Mataio originally pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed his plea as the case progressed.

He was also convicted and placed under 18 months of probation.

Mataio was charged in a police raid near the Fugalei market bus stop on 10 May 2026 where police found Mataio sitting under a tent next to a refrigerator.

Police searched him and found 24 rolled marijuana cigarettes weighing 7.3 grams.

Presiding Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma noted that Mataio had a history of drug offences.

Dating back to 2002 and 2019 where he had seven confirmed criminal convictions.

Since his arrest, Mataio has spent almost 6 months in prison and the court ordered to deduct custodian times from the sentence.

Overall, Mataio has two more days to serve the 6 months sentence after deduction of custody days, and remains under probation for 18 months.