The discovery of crystal methamphetamine on suspects is now a common occurrence, but a case now in District Court indicates that cocaine is also on island.
Gaisoa Mapo has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, cocaine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, with intent to distribute.
The charges stem from a traffic stop on the night of July 25, 2020 in Iliili after police observed a vehicle overtaking cars at the Ottoville intersection. As cops were checking the driver’s license of the driver Alesana Tipi, two men identified as Elijah Leasau and Gaisoa Mapo approached and Mapo asked if he could talk to Matavale Fiu, one of three passengers in the vehicle.
As the two were chatting, officers saw Mapo tapping Fiu on the chest and acquired an item from Fiu. As the defendant was stepping away a plastic baggie was seen in his hand.
Cops asked Mapo to show what he was holding but he refused and instead snuck the item inside his pocket.
Mapo was then detained by police and transported to the Tafuna substation.
When asked to empty his pockets a simoi baggie containing an amount of one quarter of white powder fell out. Inside was a black cut up straw used as a scoop. The white powder tested positive twice as cocaine.
Mapo told police he found the baggie with the white powder in a bar earlier. Elijah Leasau went to the Tafuna substation and he told police that he talked to passenger Fiu and Fiu told him that he owned the stuff found on Mapo. Fiu however was not charged.
