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Man pleads guilty to selling pot at the cannery

Just say no to marijuana graphic
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 30-year-old man accused of selling marijuana joints at the cannery last year has pled guilty.  Cops arrested Pele Sami on Oct. 22, 2020 after a female employee of the cannery informed police about a man selling drugs to several cannery employees in front of a restaurant.

Sami was initially charged with two felonies: unlawful possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. But under a plea agreement with the government, Sami pled guilty to unlawful possession of marijuana. In return, the remaining charge was dismissed.

With his guilty plea, Paulo Jr. admits that on Oct. 22, 2020 at the cannery area, he had in his possession a small bag containing 11 marijuana joints. He further admits that on the day in question, he sold some marijuana joints to people he knew at the cannery who are his regular customers.

The court asked the defendant what he did with all the marijuana joints he had, Sami said he sold them to some of his friends and people who asked him for drugs. As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending probation. Sami remains in custody, unable to post a $10,000 bond.

He will be sentenced June 28, 2021.