A man who was already on probation for stealing is in trouble with the law again.
Samoa News reports Uelese To’ia made his initial court appearance this week charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Police say they had stopped a pick-up truck at Iliili on April 25th for having too many front lights.
While they were speaking with the driver, Upuese Apelu, Toia got out of the truck and walked behind it.
When police told him to get back inside, he kept walking and then ran off.
Police along with Apelu and another passenger in the truck gave chase and caught him outside a store opposite Lupelele Elementary.
Police discovered two glass pipes on Toia and the white substance found inside tested positive for methamphetamine.
Toia told officers he got the two glass pipes containing meth from a friend for $40, and the reason he smoked meth is to give him strength for his work at his plantation.
Truck driver Apelu told police that he knows Toia only from selling his taro and bananas around their neighborhood.
He said he was on his way to pick up his brother-in-law from work when Toia flagged down his vehicle and asked for a ride back home to Taputimu.
Toia will be back in court on Thursday.
