A 55-year-old man has been charged for breaking into the Police station, and stealing a portion of $10 million tala worth of marijuana, the Police seized from Faleatiu recently.  

The marijuana was part of the biggest drug bust in the history of Samoa, where ice, guns and money was also seized.

Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti, confirmed that the man from Apia, Papauta and Malifa, broke into the Police Training Office during the early hours of Sunday, 10 November 2019.

He has been charged for burglary by breaking into the Police office. 

“He was apprehended and charged, and is now remanded in custody until 2 December for mention,” Papali'i told the Samoa Observer. 

The Acting Commissioner did not say how much marijuana the man stole.

But a Police officer, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said the man who appeared to have been drunk had in his possession about 40 marijuana plants, wrapped in a tarpaulin. 

“He was caught drunk in front of the shops in the area,” said the source. 

“The training room was locked but he managed to get in from the back window and exited from the front door.” 

About the marijuana, Papali'i said the more than 10,000 marijuana seized from Faleatiu has not been destroyed yet. 

“[We are] Awaiting advice from the Attorney General’s Office prior to seeking Court order to destroy the marijuana,” she explained. 

She estimated the total cost of the drugs to be $10 million tala with the 11 suspects being charged and scheduled to appear in Court on 25 November 2019. 

Police also seized several firearms, methamphetamine utensils, ammunitions and money in the raid.