In court news, a man on probation for a 2019 conviction of possession of drugs is facing new drug charges.
He was caught after a traffic stop last month led to the discovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Samoa News reports that Valasi Tafa’s vehicle was stopped by cops on July 6, 2021 because it turned into a driveway at Fatumafuti without a signal.
After stopping his vehicle Tafa got out and approached the passenger seat from where he picked up a black bag.
An officer recognized the vehicle from a previous traffic stop and Tafa was told to put the bag down. When police asked for his driver’s license he refused but gave police his name, Tafa.
He tried to get back in his car but police stopped him and he became agitated and started swearing. Police then took him to the police stations and his vehicle was impounded.
During questioning the defendant identified himself as Valasi Tafa. It was discovered that Tafa had an outstanding beach warrant issued by the High Court. He was then served the warrant.
Officers discovered a glass pipe containing white crystalline substances inside Tafa’s underwear waistband and a medium sized baggie containing a white substance in his front pocket.
A search of his vehicle yielded a medium size baggie containing a green leafy substance.
The white substance found on him was ice and the green leafy substance was marijuana.
Tafa faces charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of marijuana. His nail is set at $10,000.
In the 2019 case Tafa was sentenced to five years imprisonment and fined $2,000 after being convicted of unlawful possession of meth. He served 20 months in jail and placed on probation for 5 years.
