Samoa Police

This was confirmed by Samoa's acting police commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti.

However she said the Attorney General, Lemalu Herman Retzlaff, is reviewing the file before the police will carry out the normal procedure for filing the charges.

Since last night, police have arrested two suspects in relation to the case: Malele Atofu Paulo, also known as King Faipopo; and Lema'i Faioso Sione.

The pair are in police custody.

Police have released few details on the alleged plot, which came to light two days ago.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reports local mayor, Fa'alogo Sasauli Moli, saying the council had been to every family in Lauli'i and concluded that someone must have dumped the baby.

Fa'alogo said all babies born in the last eight months in the village had been accounted for.

He said the village council will not stop until they uncover who did, what he called this "unchristian act".

Meanwhile the police have advised the public to refrain from posting pictures of the decomposing body on social media.

It is alleged that there was a scuffle between the juvenile and the 24-year-old victim on 25 July 2019.

The victim was injured and admitted at Motootua Hospital on the same day.

According to Police, the victim died in hospital on Monday, 5 August 2019.

The Samoa Police Criminal Investigation Division were notified of the man’s death on the same day and the suspected was arrested and charged.

He will remain in custody until 19 August when his case will be called for mention in the court.

Police said the suspect knew the victim.

Newsline Samoa reports Police sources have contacted them stating that they suspecting public to be hiding the two escapees.

Threats of breaking the law by aiding and abetting the runaway criminals continue to be circulated to warn off public support.

Tips from the public are still reaching through for the police to follow up but in some cases the people reported have similar features to the prisoners.

Police are making every effort to follow up any leads that sometimes take them hours of travel to get to the suspected location of public sighting.

The victims have been identified as a 66-year-old man of Falelauniu and a 49-year-old female of Siusega and Tafaigata.

According to Police, both individuals were found in the back seat of a vehicle plate number 21594 parked at Tuanaimato.

 They were taken to Motootua Hospital and were declared dead on arrival.

A post mortem has been requested for both deceased and police investigations are continuing.

The officer is accused of accepting a bribe from a man charged with the possession of more than $US150,000 worth of cocaine and heroin.

The man had tried to move the drugs through Faleolo International Airport with his Vietnamese wife, who is facing separate charges of bribery in American Samoa.

The Samoa police commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, said he had zero tolerance for people who betray the trust of the community.

There will also be an internal police investigation, Fuiavaillili said.

Police Commissioner Fuiavailiili Egon Keil and his Executive bid farewell to the officers, which included one female officer Friday.

The officers flew out last weekend.

Peacekeeping deployment is consider vital and it is part of the Samoa’s Government commitment to the United Nations since 1999.

Samoa’s peacekeeping contribution is highly recommended at the International arena given the unique Pacific communal approach its officers has to offer.

As director, he ensures overall safety and security for the Games, which run from 7-20 July. 

This includes being responsible for developing and implementing security policies, protocols and procedures. He looks after the recruiting, training and supervising of police and security officers.

He firmly believes the Games will be a success.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told the Samoa Observer Faumuina Michael Kapisi was arrested on Wednesday and charged.

"He was arrested on Wednesday and was later remanded at liberty," said Auapa'au.

He added Faumuina will make his first court appearance 6 June.

Faumuina did not wish to comment when the newspaper contacted him.

When he was called into the Police station he was accompanied by his lawyer, Te'o Richard Tapeni.

The arrest follows a police investigation launched into issues at the Football Federation Samoa.

Alatise Le'afa Vitale was among a number of inmates released on parole in 2012 as part of Samoa's celebration of its fifty years of independence.

But the Ministry of Justice's parole office says Alatise has breached a number of conditions.

He was arrested on Wednesday in Savaii and will appear in court next Tuesday.

Alatise's father, who was a former government minister as well as another former minister, Toi Aukuso Cain, were given life sentences for conspiracy over the death of Luagalau.