The Samoa Supreme Court has set an August 2026 hearing date for Taylor Victor Crichton, the former driver of the Ministry of Customs, who is facing two charges of possession of methamphetamine and two counts of importation of illicit drugs.
Police also seized cash of $1,393 tālā from the suspect.
The 37-year-old, of Vaitele-uta and Fasito’o-uta, has denied the charges and was granted bail under conditions that he surrender his travel documentation and sign in weekly at a police station.
Samoa Global News reports Crichton was the driver for former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Customs and Revenue, Tuala Ponifasio Tevaga, before driving for the current Minister of Customs, Masinalupe Makesi.
The Ministry of Customs and Border Control successfully intercepted the shipment, which contained 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine from American Samoa. The drugs were wrapped in brown paper and concealed in a case of frozen chicken.
Officials say Crichton has received parcels from American Samoa in the past, but this is the first time he has been caught with illegal drugs.
