Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 29-year-old man accused of selling marijuana joints at the cannery last year has pled guilty.

Detectives from the DPS Vice & Narcotics Unit arrested Ualesi Paulo on Aug. 12, 2020 after receiving information from StarKist Samoa employees that a man was selling drugs to cannery workers.

Paulo was initially charged with two felonies: unlawful possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), and unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Paulo pled guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). The remaining charge was dismissed.

With his guilty plea, Paulo admits that on Aug. 12, 2020 at the StarKist Samoa compound in Atu’u, he had in his possession a small bag containing 20 marijuana joints. He further admits that on the day he was arrested, he sold some of the marijuana joints to cannery employees.

The court asked the defendant what he did with all the marijuana joints he had, Paulo said he sold it to cannery workers.

 As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending probation. Paulo remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $10,000 bond.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 23, 2022.