Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The criminal case against the Taavili brothers has been bound over to the High Court in relation to a drug raid last month.The defendants are William and Setefano Taavili.

William 42, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth, a felony; while his 38-year-old brother, Setefano Taavili 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.

Setefano had since been released on a $5,000 surety bond while William remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $20,000 surety bond.

On Aug. 17, 2022, police executed a search warrant at the Taavili family compound in Vaitogi for William’s vehicle and home. Also, police served an arrest warrant for Setefano.

When they pulled up, cops observed two men standing in a corner behind the mechanic shop.

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’s case police had William drive his car to the West Substation and when police asked the defendant if there were any illegal contraband in the car; “William 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, William told police he received the two baggies containing meth from his younger brother Setefano.”

Prior to taking in Setefano, Police conducted a pat down and discovered a small black bag on Setefano. Inside the bag were 5 cut-up straws containing meth.

An inventory search then moved to the vehicle owned by William.

“During this search, a red bag was discovered on the back seat.

“Setefano 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, Setefano admitted that the drugs and the ammunition belonged to him.”