Court denies travel to Businesswoman charged with possession of meth

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 16 April 2026: Supreme Court Justice, Leutele Mata Tuatagaloa has denied businesswoman Doris Te’o’s application to vary her bail condition to permit her to travel to Australia.

In her application to vary her bail conditions, she offered two sureties and relied on the support from the Samoa business community, business properties and church.

She also provided two affidavits and a letter from her Bishop to support her application.

Police oppose application
The police strongly opposed the application citing the Applicant as a flight risk, especially that she holds both New Zealand and Australian citizenship and any process of extradition would be lengthy and costly.

Prosecution further submitted that the purpose for travel is not compelling as it is neither for medical nor humanitarian reasons, but simply to visit her children for leisure, whom she has been unable to visit since being charged in September 2025.

Prosecution also emphasized their concern that the application was filed in February 2026, four months to the date of her trial in June which questions the timing and casts doubts of her intention to return to Samoa.

Prosecution also highlighted the seriousness of the offence which carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Court discussion
“If she is permitted to travel, she would be beyond immediate reach of Samoa’s court which would be unable to impose enforceable restrictions on her conduct unless recourse were had by extradition,” said Justice Tuatagaloa.

The Judge also noted that extradition proceedings are lengthy and cumbersome, particularly where they involve citizens of those countries.

Other aspects considered by the court include the properties relied upon are mortgaged and subject to caveats.

“Further, no documentary evidence is provided to show that her business is viable or thriving in a way that would meaningfully support an inference that the defendant would return to Samoa to meet her obligations,”

The court also noted that the identity and financial capacity of the two sureties are not identified.

“I am not satisfied that the provision of sureties, whether monetary or otherwise, would adequately mitigate the risks that are apparent and inherent in permitting the defendant, at this stage, to leave the jurisdiction, even for a short period,” said Justice Tuatagaloa.

The application to vary bail to permit overseas travel is dismissed. The defendant is remanded on the same bail conditions and is to re-appear for trial in the week commencing 8 June 2026.

The bail conditions include reporting to the Apia police station every Wednesday and Friday before 4.00pm and to surrender all her travel documents.