Salelavalu Village Deliver on their Promise to Police: Two Suspects in Custody
5 October 2022 Apia Samoa. Translated from the files of #FaaSamoa. The Village Council of Salelavalu in Savaii have delivered on a promise they had made to the Samoa Police just a few days ago; to deliver the men suspected of shooting at police during a marijuana plantation raid.
Two police officers were shot when their response team were fired upon during a marijuana plantation raid inland of Salelavalu village.
The Samoa Police issued “WANTED” notices for all three suspects from the village of Salelavalu.
One of the suspects fired at a response team of around 20 police with a 12 gauge shot gun, causing injury to two of them.
In a meeting between the Village Council and Samoa Police on Monday, the village through matai, gave their assurance they would aprehend the culprits and deliver them to the police.
“Give us your full confidence. We will locate them and bring them to you,” the village matai had assured the Samoa Police in Savaii earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti confirmed that Sula or Apisoloma Setu and Manuia Lafaele Tanuvasa were brought in by the members of the village.
“They have been charged and remain in police custody.”
Papalii says Samoa Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and a members of the Tactical Operations Squad (TOS) are in Savaii to work together with, and overlook the efforts of the villagers.
“The Village Council say they are confident the third suspect, Masina Tiatia Lega will be located and handed to Police by Saturday”.
A source from the village told Samoa Global News the families of all three men have faced hefty fines from the Village Council.
“O le faasalaga a taulelei nei ma o latou aiga, e tai 100 aumatua..”
“The three men and their familes have been fined 100 pigs each..”
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