Samoa prisoner on the run for almost a year is recaptured

Apia, SAMOA — An escaped prisoner in Samoa has been recaptured after nine months on the run.

The Samoa Observer reports the man, Suitupe Fa'amoe Paufai, 59, was handed over by his family.

Paufai, who had been imprisoned for murder and possession of narcotics, ran away from a prison work gang in May last year.

Paufai was last seen evading authorities when they busted the country's largest-ever cannabis plantation in November.

Samoa police said he was captured by the Samoa Prisons and Correction Services (SPCS) in the early hours this past week.

Police acknowledged the support of the SPCS and the public for the information that led to his apprehension.