Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 14, 2024, the Vice & Narcotics Unit was contacted by the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to assist with a case involving drugs.

The suspect was later arrested and charged:

Count 1: Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), a felony punishable by a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years nor more than 10 years, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Marijuana), a felony punishable by a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years nor more than 10 years, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

According to the affidavit, on October 14th, at approximately 5:05 p.m., the Vice & Narcotics received a call from the TPS requesting assistance regarding items allegedly discovered on a suspect that appeared to look like drugs.

Upon arrival at the TPS, police officers transferred the evidence over to the Vice & Narcotics Unit that included an orange cut up straw containing a crystalline substance and what appeared to be a hand rolled cigarette containing a leafy substance.

The VNU officers were also informed that the suspect was taken to the hospital due to an injury on his forehead and that he needed medical assistance immediately.

According to one of the officers who responded to a theft call in Futiga, she and other officers got to the scene and observed the suspect being detained by his brother awaiting their arrival. It was revealed in their investigation that the suspect broke into the neighbor’s privately owned bus and stole items from inside the bus.

When the officers arrived at the scene, they observed the suspect being detained by his brother and there was a lump on his forehead.

According to the suspect’s brother, when he tried to detain the suspect, the suspect tried to flee and was being difficult. He then stated the suspect fell to the ground and bumped his head. The suspect was searched for any illegal contraband or weapons before being placed inside the police unit and the officers allegedly discovered the orange cut up straw and hand rolled cigarette inside the suspect’s pocket.

The VNU Captain tested the crystalline substance from the orange cut up straw using the Methamphetamine Field Test Kit and revealed positive results for methamphetamine (meth). The green leafy substance from the hand rolled cigarette was also tested using the Duquenois Levine Field Test Kit and revealed positive results for THC, the main ingredient in marijuana.

At around 12:02 a.m., on October 15, 2024, officers were informed by the TPS that the suspect had completed medical treatment and was brought back to the TPS for investigation.

The suspect was Mirandized and he refused to make a statement.

He was then booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S. National.