Mass prison break averted in Samoa

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Guns suspected to be hidden within the prison compound at Samoas Tafa’igata Prison, on the outskirts of the capital Apia, were to have been used during a planned mass breakout which was thwarted last Friday by a police raid of the facility.

This was confirmed  by SPS Media Spokesperson, Superintendent Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo.

Prison authorities’ suspicion of such a plan led them to call in the police for assistance.

“This plan had apparently been led by prisoners who have been in prison for long periods,” said the Superintendent.

He confirmed that no guns had been found during the police search of the facility.

However, some marijuana, along with an amount of money were found in one of the cells during the search, according to Auapa’au.

One prisoner was held for questioning and has been charged with possession of illegal drugs.

He will appear in court March 5 to answer the charges against him.

Auapaau said that the search focused on the prisoners and the compound in efforts to ascertain the suspicions of a planned mass breakout.

He said two prisoners, alleged to be the ringleaders, were removed and are now being held at the main Police Station in Apia for continued questioning.

No charges have yet been laid against the two.