Well-known boxer Afaese Hugo Fata pleaded not guilty to charges associated with possession of illegal firearms and drugs in the District Court on Wednesday.

Fata was charged in December last year. He and another man from Afega, Fata Voi Selafi were arrested and charged after the police allegedly confiscated 10 illegal rifles with substantial cash following the two separate raids on Christmas Eve of last year.

Fata, 38, denied all charges against him before Judge Leota Raymond Schuster of the District Court last week.

Judge Leota adjourned the matter to August for a trial. Fata is being represented by Quentin Sauaga. 

A boxer by profession and gold medalist in previous Pacific Games the 38-year-old was taken by the police from a business in Matautu. 

He allegedly had $15,000 cash, utensils and a lot of zip-lock bags that the police suspected were used for drug activities. 

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo in a recent interview late last year said white powder residue was also found in some of the ziplock bags, which were referred to the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) for testing to verify the substance.

The second raid was in Afega where Hugo resided and a 51-year-old suspect was arrested with the discovery of 10 illegal and unregistered firearms. 

The Commissioner confirmed Hugo is facing charges of possession of utensils and unlicensed firearms while his co-accused is facing charges of possession of unlawful firearms. 

Since the beginning of court cases this year more than 30 cases involving illegal firearms and drugs have been mentioned before the Supreme Court and also at District Court.

Some of these cases are matters that the court will deal with ruling and sentence after hearings from last year.