By Rolynda Jonathan
A Palauan man, who is facing several criminal charges for illegally smuggling in cigarettes into Palau, has pled guilty.
On February 18, Samuel Maui entered a guilty plea to three counts of Entry of Goods Falsely classified, three counts of smuggling goods into the country, and three counts of money laundering for smuggling in cigarettes that were then sold to local businesses.
Maui entered into a plea agreement where he was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison, all suspended with conditions. He was ordered to pay $312,000 of delinquent import taxes, forfeit a piece of property he owns, which will be sold and applied as payment of back taxes.
He was also ordered to complete community service, issue a public apology and cooperate with the AG’s office and the Financial Investigative Unit (FIU) in ongoing investigations in relation to the case.
Maui can still face jail time if he fails to comply with any of the conditions ordered by the court.
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