Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa heavyweight champion accused of violating local drug laws entered into a plea agreement with the government last week.

Sui Fausaiga, 26, also known as Sui Palauni was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; methamphetamine, a class D felony; along with third degree assault and public peace disturbance, both class A misdemeanors.

But under a plea agreement with the government, which was later accepted by the court, Faasaiga agreed to plead guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

With his guilty plea, Fausaiga admits that on Aug. 20, 2017 he unlawfully possessed a glass pipe containing a small quantity of methamphetamine.

Faasaiga, who has been in custody since the day of his arrest is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 21st for sentencing.

REPEAT OFFENDER BACK IN COURT

A 43-year-old man from Vaitogi, a repeat offender, appeared in court last week for another violation.

Veli Galea’i, who is on probation, was arrested last week on drug possession allegations. He made his initial appearance in District Court last week before Judge Fiti Sunia. He was represented by Public Defender Michael White, while prosecuting the case was Assistant Attorney General Jason Mitchell.

Judge Sunia established Galea’i's bond at $5,000.

If he posts his bond, the court has ordered that he pay an outstanding fine of $850, remain law abiding, not leave or attempt to leave the territory, and he has to surrender his travel documents to the government’s attorney. Furthermore, he is not to make any direct or indirect contact with all the government’s witnesses.

Galea’i is scheduled to appear in court this Friday at 1p.m for his preliminary examination

According to the government’s case, Galea’i's vehicle was pulled over by police during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2018 for failure to stop at a stop sign in Tafuna.

When they approached the vehicle, cops say they noticed movement inside the vehicle.

The affidavit says Galea’i looked nervous when officers approached him. His left hand was inside his pants pocket.

When officers asked what was inside his pocket, the defendant paused for a moment before saying, “o le pepa ma le paipa.” (a paper and a pipe).

Officers conducted a body search on Galea'i and found a stamp size baggie inside his pants pocket, containing a white crystalline substance which later tested positive for meth.

Also inside his pocket was a glass pipe containing a white crystalline substance which was also tested and turned positive for meth.

When asked about the items, Galea’i told police that he had just bought the stuff from a friend. He did not reveal to police who the friend was.