No charges over drugs in juvenile hall

The Ministry of Police has concluded a criminal investigation into drugs discovered at the Oloamanu Juvenile Detention Centre - and no charges will be filed. 

The investigation was launched last December after a detainee broke out of the jail and alerted the Police to the presence of marijuana inside the Centre's main office. 

“Our investigation did not rise to the level where criminal charges were necessary,"  said Police Commissioner Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil. 

“We looked at the criminality side of things and we did not find any probable case that would lead to arresting anyone".

The escapee broke out of the jail and walked from Mulifanua to the Police outpost in Faleolo where he informed Police about the presence of the contraband. 

“I can confirm the inmate [who] escaped to the Faleolo Police Outpost has been charged,” said the Police Commissioner.

The Police Commissioner said the Oloamanu is under the supervision of the Samoa Prison and Corrections Service, which is conducting a separate internal investigation into how the contraband made its way into the secure facility. 

The Prisons and Corrections Services Minister, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, told the Samoa Observer that the Ministry was also seeking to determine how marijuana plants were found in the vicinity of the juvenile detention center. 

“I was informed about it last week and I paid a visit to the centre on Thursday, the day after the alleged drugs [were] found, and that is all I can say about it, as investigations are continuing," he said.