Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Drugs, guns, ammunition and a police radio were discovered during a police raid when armed detectives and police officers of the DPS Vice and Narcotic K-9 Unit executed two search warrants in different locations on the east side of the island earlier this week.

Four people were taken into custody when police raided one home in Alofau. Additionally a couple was also taken into custody after their house in Amouli was raided by investigators.

SEARCH WARRANT IN ALOFAU

Four people were taken into custody during the Alofau police raid but only three of them were booked and later charged.

The three co-defendants are Uelese Tita’e a.k.a “TOEAINA”; Simativa Falaniko, a.k.a “MATIVA”; Brian Faalevao, a.k.a “CHICKEN” and a female individual who is Tita’e’s girlfriend.

Tita’e and Faalevao are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (meth), a felony.

Bail is set at $10,000 for each of the co-defendant.

Co-defendant Falaniko was charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth with intent to distribute and one count of unlawful possession of meth — both felonies.

Bail is set at $30,000 for Falaniko.

THE ALLEGATION

Around 6:30a.m on Monday morning, Jan. 3rd, 2022, several armed detectives and police officers of the DPS Vice and Narcotic K-9 Unit (VNU) executed a search warrant at the home of Uelese Tita’e in Alofau.

Tita’e, a.k.a “Toeaina” was found at his residence, along with three occupants including his girlfriend (also named in the affidavit but not yet charged), and two co-defendants - Simativa Falaniko, a.k.a “Mativa” and Brian Faalevao, a.k.a “Chicken”.

During the search of Toeaina’s residence, investigators discovered a black drill rifle and a glass pipe containing a usable amount of crystalline substance in Toeaina’s bedroom. Also found were yellow cut up straws filled with a crystalline substance.

Toeaina immediately told investigators during the search that he used and smoked ice but he does not sell. When asked about the rifle he replied that it had been there for a long time.

Investigators also found a wooden daisy rifle and a simoi size baggie containing a usable amount of a crystalline substance in co-defendant Faalevao’s bedroom. When asked about it, Faalevao informed investigators that he found the plastic baggie outside of the house and picked it up. Instead of throwing it in the trash he kept it in his room.

Further searches in Falaniko’s bedroom revealed a box of pellet rounds (BB), two packages of colored straws, a torch, two broken glass pipes and two glass tubes. Also discovered was a glass pipe containing a usable amount of a crystalline substance and an empty stamp sized baggie.

Falaniko informed investigators that he found the pipe across the street and brought it home. He also stated that the straws were for their coconuts that they sell near the road.

Toeaina, along with his girlfriend, Falaniko and Faalevao were detained and later transported to the police headquarters for further investigation.

All substances recovered during the raid were tested and yielded a positive result for meth.

On the same morning around 8:35a.m, Tita’e, a.k.a Toeaina was Mirandized where he signed the form indicating that he understood his rights, however, he wished to remain silent. He was later booked and confined at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).

Falaniko was also Mirandized where he acknowledge that he understood, and refused to make a statement. He was also booked and confined at TCF.

Fa’alevao was also Mirandized where he informed investigators that he understood and wished to make a statement and answer questions.

According to Fa’alevao, he admitted that he used to smoke before but it was marijuana not meth. He also stated that it was his friendship with Tita’e that made him stay at Tita’e’s place however he does not know the daily activities at the house.

Fa’alevao also stated that although Falaniko — who is Tita’e’s nephew — and his girlfriend stayed together with him, he knew nothing about them. He informed investigators that he minds his own business and after his chores in the morning hours he then chills at a friend’s house.

Although Fa’alevao waived his rights to made a statement he refused to provide it in writing. He was later booked and confined at TCF.

There was no mention in the court affidavit about what happened to the fourth person who was also detained and taken into custody after the raid at Tita’e’s residence in Alofau.

SEARCH WARRANT IN AMOULI

A couple from Amouli was arrested and taken into custody in the early hours of Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, after armed detectives and police officers of the DPS Vice and Narcotic K-9 Unit executed a search warrant  and discovered weapons, ammunition and paraphernalia.

Near the couple’s bed where their 2-year-old daughter also slept, investigators discovered a black fanny pack containing a quantity of meth and $500 cash.

The couple, Si’uaana Toniga, a.k.a “Kiuga”, along with his wife Telesia, made their initial appearances in District Court this week.

The Toniga couple are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth with intent to distribute and one count of unlawful possession of meth, both felonies; along with three counts of possession of prohibited weapons and one count of possession of unlicensed arms, all class A misdemeanors, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Bail for the defendants is set at $50,000 each.

THE ALLEGATION

On Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 about 6:30a.m, armed detectives and police officers of the DPS Vice and Narcotic K-9 Unit executed a search warrant of Si’uaana Toniga, a.k.a “Kiuga”, his wife Telesia Toniga, their house and their vehicle.

During the search, investigators discovered near the couple’s bed a black fanny pack containing two simoi size baggies with 24 yellow cut up straws, 15 pink cut up straws and one purple cut up straw all filled with a white crystalline substance and cash of over $500.

Also discovered during the searched underneath the TV table near the bed was a pink funny pack containing 4 simoi size baggies filled with rocks of a crystalline substance. Also discovered was a package of neon-colored straws along with red scissors with a burnt tip.

In a further search of the house, investigators discovered a .22 revolver and .38 special handgun along with a box of .38 caliber ammunition containing 28 rounds. Investigators also found a .22 rifle during the search.

When ask about the items recovered, Toniga informed investigators that the two-fanny packs belonged to him as well as the weapons. He also informed investigators that one of the handguns was given to him by a military friend to put down a pig for a birthday party.

After the house, the search continued to the couple’s vehicle parked outside the house, where they discovered a police radio and a police soft cap.

When questioned about the stuff discovered inside his vehicle, Toniga informed investigators that some officers rented his car and they must’ve forgotten about it in the vehicle.

The couple was detained and later transported to police headquarter in Fagatogo for further investigation. All crystalline substance recovered at the couple’s house during the search was tested and yielded a positive result for meth.