A man has been sentenced in the Supreme Court of Samoa to 4 years and 6 months for possession of scales and utensils, and importing 99 grams of methamphetamine from American Samoa.
Filipo Filipo, 38, had entered an early guilty plea to the charges via his defense Counsel, Quentin Sauaga.
Prosecution asked for a starting point of 8 years while defense proposed 5 years.
Justice Leutele Niavā Mata Tuatagaloa took 8 years, with the usual deductions; 18 months for being remorseful and a first offender, and 20 months for the defendants early guilty plea.
The Ministry of Customs and Border Control successfully intercepted the shipment containing 99 grams of meth worth $100,000 tala in November last year, preventing the harmful substance from reaching our communities.
Customs Border Officers detected the prohibited drugs during a routine inspection of consignments arriving from American Samoa at the Matautu Wharf, and found the meth concealed in a can of Milk Powder (Coffee Mate).
The Ministry said at the time that 38-year-old Filipo Filipo of Lalovaea, Samusu Aleipata, Fogatuli and Magiagi and a Filipino lady connected to the shipment were referred to the Samoa Police.
“The male defendant has been charged with Possession of Narcotics (Methamphetamine) and Importation of Prohibited Goods and is jointly charged with the female defendant with, Possession of Utensils.”
CEO of Customs, afioga Fonoti Talaitupu Lia Taefu said at the time that the concealment method demonstrates the continued attempts by criminals to smuggle illicit drugs into Samoa through ordinary goods.
She commended the swift actions and vigilance of the officers led to the discovery and immediate seizure of the illicit drugs.
“Samoa we must stand together to eradicate illicit drugs from our community and hold criminals accountable,” said the Head of Samoa’s Customs Border Control..
“The cowardice actions of a small number of Samoan criminals involved in the illegal trade of drugs for their own benefits has a huge negative impact to the overall peacefulness of Samoa.”
Customs continues to strengthen its enforcement strategies through advanced inspection technologies, enhanced intelligence-sharing, targeted profiling, and strong cooperation with both domestic and international law enforcement partners.
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