First case of non-compliance with COVID-19 declaration dismissed

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government’s case against a bus driver accused of non compliance with the COVID-19 enforcement, which allows only 10 passengers at a time per bus was dismissed by District Court Judge Elvis P. Patea last week.

Sega Sega appeared in court last Thursday for his bench trial, however, when the case was call, prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General, Kristie Soule informed the court that the government is unable to provide evidence to prove its case. She then asked the court to dismiss the charge against Sega.

Patea granted the motion and ordered that the case against Sega be dismissed with prejudice.

Sega was charged with one count of non compliance with traffic laws.

The government claims that last month, Sega was among the many bus drivers that were informed by police officers not to carry more than 10 passengers on each trip.

One week later, patrolling officers allegedly discovered that Sega was continuing to ignore the announcement by carrying more than 10 passengers on his bus. He was then arrested and charged.

Samoa News should point out that the governor when explaining the limit for buses during last month’s cabinet meeting, said, half of the passenger capacity of the bus, meaning if there are 12 bench seats, that seat 2 passengers each, then 12 passengers are allowed.

ENELE NAASONA

A driver of a blue pick-up truck pulled over by police officers last week for failure to stop at a stop sign is now charged with violating local drug laws.

Enele Naasona was taken into custody when police discovered two small stamp-sized baggies containing white crystalline substance in his possession.

The government claims that while two police officers were patrolling along the Pavaiai highway last week Wednesday, they observed a blue pick-up truck coming from the Aoloau road that made a right turn without stopping at a stop sign.

The blue pick-up truck almost collided with another vehicle coming from Pavaiai road heading east. Police officers pulled the blue pick-up truck over and officers observed that a male individual was the driver of the vehicle.

After informing the driver regarding the reason for the traffic stop, the driver was identified as Enele Naasona, 32-year old male from Taputimu. He told police that he’s in a rush to pick up his wife from home to take her to the hospital.

During the conversation, officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver’s breath. When asked if he’s under the influence of alcohol, the driver replied, “Yes, and I also got some stuff on me.” Officers asked the driver what stuff he’s referring to, the driver replied, “illegal meth”.

It was at that time the driver pulled out two small baggies containing a white substance and handed it over to police officers. A pat down was conducted and nothing else was found. The driver was later transported to the Tafuna Police Station for more investigation. His vehicle was also impounded by police.

After reading his constitutional rights, Naasona told investigators that he understood his rights and he refused to make a statement. He told investigators he needed to speak to his attorney about what happened.

Naasona made his initial appearance in court last week.

He’s charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a felony, along with a class A misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Bail was set at $5,000 and Naasona is scheduled to appear in court this Thursday for his preliminary examination.