Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of possession of 3 small stamp-sized baggies containing a white crystalline substance has pled guilty.

Solomona Tagaloa, who has been in custody since his arrest last year, appeared in High Court this week for a Change of Plea hearing.

He was initially charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine; and unlawful possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. But under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Tagaloa pled guilty to a lesser, amended charge.

Tagaloa admits that on Aug. 22, 2018 he had on him 3 small stamp-sized baggies containing meth, and on the night, police pulled him over, he had in his possession illegal drugs intended for distribution.

Tagaloa’s vehicle was pulled over during a traffic stop in Tafuna after officers noticed that there was no license plate light. Police also discovered that the tag on the plate did not match the license plate number. (There were three men inside the vehicle — Tagaloa and two male passengers.)

When police found out that the license plate expired May 2017, Tagaloa was cited, and his vehicle was impounded at the Tafuna Substation.

During a search of the vehicle, police discovered a black pouch on the back seat. Inside, there were 3 small baggies containing meth, $520 cash, several empty baggies, and two cut-up straws used to scoop meth. Police also found a digital scale and a pair of lighters.

When asked who owned the drugs and the paraphernalia, Tagaloa said he didn’t know because the vehicle isn't his. Regarding the white crystalline substance, Tagaloa told police it was “ice” (meth).

One of the male passengers told police that they went with Tagaloa to deliver drugs to a man in Vaitogi. The same man further revealed that it had been 4 months since they worked together with Tagaloa to distribute meth to some of Tagaloa’s customers around the island.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4th.