23 Feb 2006

Samoa justice ministry worker charged over drug raids

8:12 am on 23 February 2006

A Ministry of Justice staff member in Samoa has been suspended and charged in connection with a raid by police earlier this month which led to the arrest of eight suspects.

Akenese Taupo, faces charges of party to possession of narcotics, obstruction of a police officer, possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of live ammunition without a permit and possession of an unlawful weapon.

Ms Taupo was at the home of one of the suspects when police arrived and she attempted to flee from the scene after making a phone call to notify one of those whose homes was searched.

Her lawyer Toleafoa Solomona Toailoa said it was a far-fetched attempt to link the defendant to the drug defendants now before the Supreme Court.

Bail has been denied until the narcotics charge against Ms Taupo comes up for mention in the Supreme Court on February 27th.

In a separate case, a police officer has been charged with dealing with narcotics.

The Samoa Broadcasting Corporation reports the officer allegedly offered cash to a guard at the Tafaigata prison to allow him to escape but the guard reported the bribe to authorities.