Ads by Google Ads by Google

Man with long history in court charged with marijuana possession, PPD, burglary

Just say no to marijuana symbol
ausage@samoanews.com

 

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government has charged a 29-year-old man with unlawful possession of marijuana, public peace disturbance, and attempted burglary, for trying to break into a store in Tafuna.

Falaula Faapoi made his initial appearance in District Court last week. He is charged in two separate cases: attempted stealing and third degree property damage in the first case; and unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second case.

Bond for Faapoi, who has a long criminal history, is $10,000.

According to the government, cops were tipped off by a man who reported that a male tried to break in to a store in Tafuna by throwing rocks at the back door on Jan. 21, 2020.

Police responded but were unable to locate the suspect. Two days later, the same caller contacted police again, saying the alleged culprit was within sight. When cops arrived this time, the witness pointed to the defendant who was standing under a tree across from the store. Police approached Faapoi and asked if he could come with them to the station. Faapoi ran to the back of a church and a foot chase ensued. Faapoi was later apprehended  and transported to the Tafuna Substation for questioning.

Prior to that, cops found 2 small baggies containing a white crystalline substance and another baggie containing 5 rolled cigarettes wrapped inside a white blank paper in Faapoi’s right pocket during a body search.

Faapoi told police he got the marijuana cigarettes and the two baggies of meth from a taxi driver, whose identity he did not reveal. When asked about the alleged attempted store break-in, Faapoi told police it was his twin brother who did it, not him.