Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested during a traffic stop last month is now facing felony charges for violating local drug laws. Thirty-nine year old, Siolo Viliamu appeared in court last month for his initial appearance.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth; one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, both felonies; along with one count of prohibited place of consumption; one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of resisting arrest, both class A misdemeanors.

Bail is set at $10,000.

THE CASE

On Aug. 25, 2022, a vehicle was pulled over for speeding by police  patrolling the Vaitogi area. Two males were inside the vehicle, a passenger and the driver, who was later identified as Siolo Viliamu, the defendant in this matter.

While speaking with Viliamu, officers observed one open bottle of beer between Viliamu and the passenger, along with 3 unopened beer cans under the passenger’s seat. When instructed by officers to step outside of the vehicle, Viliamu refused.

Officers then opened the driver’s door and pulled Viliamu out of the vehicle while the suspect was trying to push officers away from him. Officers  placed handcuffs on the suspect and immediately placed him inside a police unit.

Before Viliamu was transported to the TPS for further investigation, he was patted down and officers discovered a medium plastic baggie in his rear pants pocket, which he said was “drugs” when asked by officers.

Viliamu also claimed during his apprehension that the search was “unconstitutional’.

Officers opened the medium baggie and discovered 2 small stamped-size baggies containing a green leafy substance, along with 3 small baggies containing a white crystalline substance.

Viliamu was then transported to the TPS and detectives from the Vice & Narcotics Unit were notified regarding the alleged illegal drugs discovered during the traffic stop.

Viliamu told investigators that he met a man at a market place in Malaeimi two days prior to the incident and the man told him to come over to his house in Vaitogi if he wanted to buy drugs. He provided to investigators the location of the house when he bought drugs and also the description of the man.

Investigators also questioned the male passenger who was in the vehicle with the suspect. The passenger corroborated Viliamu’s statement, saying on their way back home, Viliamu told him that the medium baggie contained illegal drugs. The passenger was released pending further investigation.