Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two cases against two brothers charged in drug related matters are now in High Court, after the District Court found probable cause to bind them over, following a preliminary examination (PX) for each man last week.

Andy Filipo, 40, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (meth), a felony; while his 37-year-old brother, William Filipo is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth; and one count of unlawful possession of firearms — both felonies — and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, a class A misdemeanor.

Andy has been released on a $5,000 surety bond while William remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $25,000 surety bond.

THE PX

On Sept. 27, 2021 cops entered the Filipo family compound in Tafeta to execute a search warrant for Andy’s vehicle and home and an arrest warrant for Andy’s brother, William.

When they pulled up, cops observed two men standing in a corner behind Filipo’s mechanic shop. They were Andy and William, the two defendants in this case.

The two defendants looked like they were in the middle of a meeting that was interrupted, and they attempted to hide from law enforcement. According to the government, both men seemed nervous, especially Andy.

The two men were taken in for questioning.

A blue truck that was at the Filipo’s compound that day was later identified as Andy’s; and was later driven by Andy — accompanied by two cops — to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS), where Andy was asked if there was anything illegal inside.

The government claims that Andy grabbed something from the side door and gave it to the cops: it was two baggies containing a clear crystalline substance, which yielded positive results for meth.

When questioned, Andy told police he received the two baggies containing meth from his younger brother William.

Before William was escorted inside the TPS for questioning, police conducted a pat down search. During the search, police discovered a small black bag on William. Inside the bag were 5 cut-up straws containing meth.

An inventory search then moved to the vehicle owned by Andy. During the this search, a red bag was discovered on the back seat. William immediately informed police that the bag belonged to him.

Inside the bag were 5 baggies containing meth, several empty baggies commonly used to sell methamphetamine. Police also discovered live ammunition inside the bag.

When asked by police, William admitted that the drugs and the ammunition belonged to him.