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Bus driver busted for pot — by the pound — at the post office

Just say no to marijuana logo
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A bus driver accused of violating local drug laws has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Faafili Manu who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, appeared in Court two weeks ago for a Change of Plea (COP) hearing.

Manu, 41, was initially charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana — both felonies.

But under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, he pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of marijuana, a class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Manu admits that on Dec. 1, 2019 he had on him, two plastic baggies containing marijuana. According to terms of the plea agreement, Manu’s conviction stems from a drug bust at the Post Office. He had retrieved a package that was addressed to him — a package that had been sitting at the Post Office for more than a week — and apparently smelled strongly of cannabis.

When Manu went to pick up his package, agents discovered one pound of marijuana inside. He will be sentenced Dec. 28th.

The court has allowed Manu to continue on bond release subject to standard conditions including new conditions, requiring him to submit to random testing for alcohol and drugs, and signing in at the Public Defender’s Office once a week.

The court has ordered Probation to monitor the sign-in sheet from the PD’s Office to ensure the defendant is in compliance with the court’s order.