Traffic stop results in meth & weed allegedly found in vehicle
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 28, 2024, a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of an individual that was allegedly caught with drugs in his vehicle.
The defendant was later charged with:
Count 1: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance methamphetamine (meth), an unclassified felony punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years, and not more than 10 years, a fine of not less than $5,000, and not more than $20,000, or both; and,
Count 2: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance — Marijuana — an unclassified felony punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years, and not more than 10 years, a fine of not less than $5,000, and not more than $20,000, or both.
The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.
According to the affidavit, on or about April 28th, a Vice & Narcotic Unit officer received a call from a police officer reporting that they had discovered a clear glass pipe with a crystalline substance during the inventory search of a vehicle they had impounded.
The V&N officer proceeded to the TPS where he met up with the traffic officer. According to the traffic officer, the vehicle was stopped on the highway for speeding and the vehicle was impounded because the driver did not have a driver’s license.
Upon arrival at the station, the traffic officer informed the driver, identified as Pati Solomona, that an inventory of the vehicle would be carried out. The officer opened the driver’s door and observed what appeared to be a rolled joint inside the cup holder along with two MC rolling papers and two .22 caliber rounds of ammunition.
As the inventory continued, the officer also found a glass pipe with a crystalline substance underneath the driver’s seat. The crystalline substance was tested using a field test kit which confirmed that it was meth.
The green leafy substance that was found inside the cup holder was also tested using the Duquenois Levine Test Kit and it confirmed the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Pati Solomona was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement.
According to the defendant, the glass pipe and the rolled joint were his. He claimed that he needed the meth because he uses it to help him with the heavy duty work he does as a mechanic. As for the weed (marijuana), the defendant stated it was just something for him with which to chill.
The defendant was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.
The defendant is identified as a 35-year-old U.S National.