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Samoa Supreme Court warns alleged drug smuggler from Alaska

Defendant outside the courtroom
Source: Newsline Samoa

Apia, SAMOA — Samoa Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Daryl M. Clarke has warned a male defendant from Anchorage, Alaska that if he misses another court appearance, he will be taken into custody.

The defendant, Tafuna Tauialo, is accused of smuggling drugs, namely crystal methamphetamine, into the country and was  remanded on bail in earlier proceedings.

The official charges against him are: one count of importation of narcotics namely meth, possession of narcotics and importation of prohibited substance.

Tauialo appeared before Justice Leiataualesa to discuss a continuation of hearing on Friday, 24 May.

"Do not miss another (court) date or you will be remanded in custody," Justice Leiataualesa told the defendant.

The judge reminded Tauialo that he is out on bail and is required to comply with his bail conditions. One is that he must make all court appearances.

Tauialo is accused of bringing meth into the country when he arrived in Samoa on a Fiji Airways flight in April 2018.

The trial began early this month and will  continue on 6 June, 2019.

Read more at Newsline Samoa