The Village Council of Salelavalu today turned over the shooter and another suspect about the drug raid in the village.
This followed a meeting between Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo and the Chiefs of Salelavalu this morning.
The shooter has been identified as Apisaloma Setu aka Sula Sete, and has been charged with attempted murder, says the Police Commissioner.
“However there is a possibility of more charges.”
The other suspect turned over by the Chiefs is Masina Lega Taulelei while Manuia Lafaele remains at large, confirmed the Police Commissioner.
Masina is charged with the cultivation of marijuana, confirmed Auapa’au.
Apisaloma is alleged to have shot at Police officers on Saturday during the raid, leaving two officers with minor gun wounds.
On Monday the Village Council met and “penalise” the men implicated in the drug raid after Police confiscated more than 30 marijuana plants.
On Saturday, Police responded to a call from Salelavalu villagers reporting marijuana plantations in the village. The men are in the custody of the Police and are scheduled to appear in court on 28 October 2022 for their criminal mention.
Auapa’au told Radio Polynesia the Chiefs were cooperative when they met.
“We met with the elders of the village council and they understood the role of the Police, to keep order, uphold the law and ensure peace is paramount in the respective villages, meaning a drug-free environment. They were also reminded that no one is above the law and it is illegal to harbour criminal suspects,” said the Commissioner.
“The result of today’s meeting is why our culture and way of life are unique, it is different from other parts of the world. “We can resolve issues amicably and we don’t need to resort to other means to ensure the law is upheld,” he told Radio Polynesia.
