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Former Customs agent busted for pot at post office enters into plea agreement

Just say no to marijuana symbol
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A former Customs agent, Teni Luamanu, accused of violating local drug laws has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Luamanu, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, appeared in High Court this week for a Change of Plea (COP) hearing. He was represented by Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill while Assistant Attorney General Doug Lowe prosecuted.

Luamanu, 47, 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.

Luamanu admits that on Dec. 1, 2017 he had on him, 2 plastic baggies containing marijuana. According to terms of the plea agreement, Luamanu’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 let off a strong odor of cannabis.

When Luamanu went to pick up his package, agents discovered 2 pounds of marijuana inside. He will be sentenced Feb 28th.

The court has allowed Luamanu 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.

Chief Justice Michael Kruse 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.