Port Director, Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele says the Port Administration will be making recommendations to the Treasury for the Customs Officers to consider using their K9 drug alert dogs to check the MV Sili when it docks at the Inter Island wharf in Fagatogo.

Responding to Samoa News queries, the Port Director stated that this move comes after a man was arrested at the Inter Island Wharf when police found he was in possession of marijuana. The Port Director told Samoa News that this is a grave concern and it needs to be addressed.

A passenger on the MV Sili, Joshua Filioali’i is now facing one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. He was arraigned in High Court yesterday morning, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

According to the government’s case, on January 4, 2015 the police received information that there was marijuana found on the MV Sili. It’s alleged that the discovery was made by the MV Sili captain when they were trying to locate a speaker that was stolen and on its way to Tutuila from Manu’a. Police officers with the Patrol Division responded to the call and Filioali’i was then transported to the police station along with his belongings.

Court filings say that defendant was warned of his constitutional rights, which he waived and was willing to make a statement to the police regarding the marijuana that was found in his possession. It’s alleged that Filioali’i told police the marijuana that was found in his baggage is what he stole from a man in Manu’a.

The defendant also told the police that there are several marijuana plants in Ta’u, which is where he stole the marijuana he had in his possession from, according to court documents.

During a police inventory search of the bag, a half burnt hand rolled marijuana joint was allegedly found. Also recovered was a “fist full size” of a green leafy substances wrapped in foil.

Filioali’i is represented by the Public Defender’s office and his pre-trial conference in this matter has been scheduled for next month. His bail has been set at $25,000.