Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 12, 2026, an arriving traveler was taken into custody at Pago Pago International Airport following a confrontation with Customs officers after a large quantity of illegal THC vape cartridges was discovered in his luggage.

Rodney Michael Siaumau was later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Disturbing the Peace, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both;

Count 3: Possession of a Controlled Substance, a crime punishable, for a first offense, by imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 10 years, a fine not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, or both;

Count 4: Possession of a Controlled Substance With an Intent to Distribute, a crime punishable, for a first offense, by imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 10 years, a fine not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, or both; and,

Count 5: Importation of Contraband, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to five years, or a fine not exceeding 5 years, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on Jan. 16th, authorities were called to investigate an incident at the airport involving an uncooperative passenger during a Customs inspection. As part of the investigation, officers interviewed a Customs officer who was on duty at the time and who witnessed the incident.

The Customs officer stated that he was working at the airport and performing his assigned duties, which included being present during baggage searches of arriving travelers.

At approximately 10 p.m., an arriving traveler was escorted into the Customs office so that his luggage could be inspected. The Customs officer was present for the inspection and in the altercation that followed.

Surveillance video of the incident was also obtained and reviewed by investigators. Authorities stated that the video was consistent with the Customs officer’s account of what occurred during the inspection.

During the search of the traveler’s luggage, officers located approximately 100 vape cartridges, each containing about two grams of THC. The cartridges were found inside a black plastic tote, which the traveler claimed as his own.

Police said the traveler became increasingly agitated during and after the inspection and refused to follow instructions given by Customs officers. THC vape cartridges are illegal under territorial law because they contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a controlled substance.

Officers instructed the traveler multiple times to sit down, but he refused to comply.

Authorities noted that the man was over six feet tall and weighed more than 300 pounds. After the discovery of the THC cartridges, officers attempted to inspect the remaining items in the traveler’s possession.

Police reported that the traveler was wearing a bag across his chest and refused to allow officers to inspect it. His behavior reportedly became more aggressive, raising concerns among officers that he might be carrying a weapon inside the bag.

One Customs officer attempted to calm the traveler and gain his cooperation. However, as the traveler continued to disobey instructions, additional Customs officers and Airport police were called into the office to control the situation, as the disturbance was drawing attention inside the terminal.

According to police and video evidence, the traveler was heard telling officers, “Don’t try to force me,” and “Don’t be a smart ass before I punch you.” When an officer responded that he was only doing his job, the traveler allegedly made a sudden and aggressive movement as if he were about to strike the officer.

The officer immediately reacted in self-defense, and several officers were required to subdue the traveler, who reportedly continued resisting and removed his shirt in an apparent attempt to prolong the altercation.

Even after being restrained, the traveler allegedly continued to make threats against the officers. Authorities reported that he stated he was going to retrieve a gun and shoot one of the officers and also threatened to shoot other Customs officers multiple times.

Mr. Siaumau was eventually taken into custody by the Department of Public Safety.

Officers seized the approximately 100 THC vape cartridges and transported them to the Fagatogo Police Station for evidence processing and testing.

Police stated that the cartridges were tested using a Duquenois-Levine THC test kit in accordance with standard procedures. The test kit was verified as not expired and had been stored in a temperature-controlled environment.

The test conducted on one of the vape cartridges yielded a positive result for THC, confirming the presence of a controlled substance.