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

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

Faafetai, who is represented by Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson has been released on a $5,000 surety bond while Charlie, represented by Assistant Public Defender Bob Stuart, remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $25,000 surety bond.

THE PX

On Mar. 27, 2020 cops entered the Filipo’s family compound in Tafeta to execute a search warrant for Faafetai’s vehicle and home and an arrest warrant for Faafetai’s brother, Charlie.

When they pulled up, cops observed two men standing in a corner behind Filipo’s mechanic shop. They were Faafetai and Charlie, 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 Faafetai.

The two men were taken in for questioning.

A blue truck that was at the Filipo’s compound that day was later identified as Faafetai’s; and was later driven by Faafetai — accompanied by two cops — to the police station, where Faafetai was asked if there was anything illegal inside.

The government claims that Faafetai 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, Faafetai told police he received the two baggies containing methamphetamine from his younger brother Charlie.

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

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

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

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