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Don't stick ice in your pocket and then run a stop sign — duh

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The driver of a pick-up truck pulled over by police officers last month for failure to stop at a stop sign is now charged with violating local drug laws.

Henry Naasona was taken into custody when police discovered three small baggies containing white crystalline substance in his possession.

The defendant was pulled over by traffic police after coming from the Vaitogi road and making a right turn without stopping at the stop sign, and almost colliding with another vehicle coming from Iliili road, heading east.

Officers observed that a male was the driver, and was identified as Henry Naasona, a 37-year old male from Tafeta. He told police that he was in a rush to pick up his daughter from school.

During the conversation, officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver’s breath. When asked if he’s under the influence of alcohol, the driver replied, “Yes, and I also got some stuff on me.” Officers asked the driver what stuff he’s referring to, the driver replied, “illegal meth”.

It was at that time the driver pulled out two small baggies containing a white substance and handed it over to police officers.

A pat down was then conducted and nothing else was found. The driver was later transported to the TPS for more investigation. His vehicle was also impounded by police.

After being Mirandized, Naasona told investigators that he understood his rights and refused to make a statement. He told investigators he needed to speak to his attorney about what happened.

Naasona made his initial appearance in court last month.

He’s charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a felony, along with a class A misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Bail was set at $5,000.