17 Sep 2011

American Samoa mayor acquitted on drugs charges

6:24 am on 17 September 2011

An American Samoa Village Mayor has been acquitted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Troy Fiaui's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Leslie Cardin made the motion at the end of a four day trial.

Fiaui was tried for possessing two marijuana plants, which police allegedly found near his home in Auto during a drug raid back in January.

Ms Cardin contended that evidence was lacking to show that the plant material confiscated by police during the raid was in fact marijuana.

She said the police did not have a field test kit to test the plants nor did they have a microscope to conduct any type of scientific analysis of the plant material.

Chief Justice Michael Kruse sided with the defense and granted the motion for a judgment of acquittal.