Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Supreme Court has found suspended Assistant Electoral Commissioner, Afualo Daryl Mapu, guilty of possession of narcotics and an unlawful firearm.

The Samoa Observer reports Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren found co-defendant and fellow work associate Marie Fanueli not guilty of all charges against her.

In handing down her decision on Friday, Justice Tafaoimalo said she found Afualo's evidence was not credible and she believed he and a key witness had collaborated on the case while in custody.

Both defendants were jointly charged with six charges of possession of narcotics, namely methamphetamine weighing 1.6g, and possession of utensils.

The charges also included possession of an unlawful weapon, illegal firearms and unlawful ammunitions.

Both Afualo and Fanueli had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Tafaoimalo concluded she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Afualo was in possession of the narcotics, firearms and ammunitions being the subject of the six charges.

The charges were made following a police raid at Afualo's home in Nuu-fou on December 28, 2021 where police conducted a search for firearms.

Afualo will be sentenced on October 14 and remains on bail until his sentencing.