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ASDOE employee facing drug charges asks for jury trial

ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A full-time employee of the American Samoa Department of Education (AS-DOE) who is facing 3 felony drug charges involving meth has asked the High Court to schedule his case for trial.

Sonny Tui, who is still in custody unable to post a $40,000 surety bond, appeared in High Court last Friday for his pretrial conference before Chief Justice Michael Kruse.

When Tui's case was called, his attorney, Marcellus T. Uiagalelei informed the court that they have received all the discovery for the case; however, they have been unable to reach an agreement. He then asked the court to set Tui’s matter for trial.

Tui was arrested at the Pago Pago International Airport in Dec. 2017, after police allegedly found drugs inside a package addressed to him.

Tui allegedly told Customs agents that it was a Christmas gift for his wife.

When the package was opened, Customs agents allegedly discovered more than 7 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, hidden in a speaker.