Fagaalu drug busts net 7 people, so far one is arraigned

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 5, 2023 at 4:30p.m, Vice and Narcotics detectives along with detectives from the Criminal Investigation’s division executed a search warrant on an individual named Kika Benjami Tilei in Faga’alu.

Detectives from both divisions observed a blue pick-up vehicle on the public highway of Faga’alu and had police officers in the area conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle and observed two female occupants inside, with Tilei.

Tilei, along with the female occupants were instructed to exit the vehicle and to be prepared for a pat down of their persons in search of weapons.

The police document made the following allegations:

While patting down Tilei, officers found a black wallet in his short pants pocket containing ID cards.

They identified the female passengers as Kueni Falepau who was in the front passenger seat and Aiga Suluao Tu’upo who sat in the rear bed of the truck. Officers then conducted a pat down of Falepau, discovering nothing on her person.

On the other hand, during Tu’upo’s pat down, a lighter and a green cut up straw containing a crystalline substance was discovered.

A search of the vehicle was then conducted where 14 hand rolled cigarettes each containing a green leafy substance was found inside a small clear baggie discovered inside an empty cigarette box, and according to Tilei, the rolled up cigarette joints belonged to him and were for personal use.

The search then proceeded to Tilei’s residence. Upon arrival at the house, a female identified as Adelle Fenumia’i was observed on the porch, and was later identified as Tilei’s sister. She was also patted down by officers and a glass pipe containing a usable amount of crystalline substance was discovered inside her left pocket along with a stamp size baggie containing a crystalline substance.

Another individual was also found inside Tilei’s house and was patted down, but nothing was found on his person and he was then released to leave the premises.

A search of Tilei’s bedroom allegedly revealed six medium size baggies with white crystalline substance residue, including assorted drug paraphernalia, as well as marijuana seeds and one medium size baggie containing what appearing to be marijuana buds. In addition, a backpack was found where several small baggies containing a white crystalline substance were found inside it.

Further search of Tilei’s house revealed five smartphones, one small sized scale, three blow torches and one bag of assorted empty straws.

Tilei told detectives that the backpack belonged to his girlfriend, Falepau.

Falepau was then transported to the Fagatogo Central Police Station (CPS) for further investigation while the search continued to the other bedrooms in Tilei’s house. The defendant told officers that his sister, Fenumia’i occupies one of the bedrooms inside the house with her boyfriend who was later identified as Samuelu Luatua.

The search continued to Fenumia’i’s bedroom where she was present and one small baggie containing a white crystalline substance was discovered.

 Also found was drug paraphernalia, as well as one clear glass pipe containing a usable amount of crystalline substance and one small baggie containing a crystalline substance.

Fenumia’i told officers that her boyfriend, Luatua owned the small size baggie containing a usable amount of white crystalline substance and the five clear glass tubes.

The search continued to the defendant’s garage where Detectives saw Luatua and patted him down. Both Fenumia’i and her partner, Luatua were transported to the CPS for further investigation.

Upon searching the garage, police discovered a single bedroom used by Tu’upo and it included an open space with a ping pong table and storage for landscaping equipment such as lawn mowers and blowers.

While in the garage, detectives observed another male individual who was later identified as Kamipeli Taufalele inside the garage. Detectives observed Taufalele tossing away what appeared to be a clear glass pipe.

Detectives located the clear glass pipe containing a usable amount of white crystalline substance from underneath the ping pong table. Taufalele was then transported as well to the CPS for further investigation.

The search continued to the single room Tu’upo occupied, and detectives discovered a marijuana plant about 2 feet tall inside a container, along with 2 medium sized baggies containing more of the white crystalline substance and one box of used empty cut up straws. Tu’upo was also transported to the CPS.

Another individual was also found on the premises, but after being patted down and cleared, he was released to leave.

At 6:55p.m on the same date, Tilei was Mirandized, using the Samoan translation of the Miranda form, which he signed and acknowledged to officers he understood his rights but refused to make a statement and answer any questions.

On the same date at 4:45p.m, another search warrant was executed by the Vice and Narcotics and Criminal Investigation Division on another house in Fagaalu — of a Tavita Tali.

As detectives were on their way to Tali’s residence, detectives observed Tali on the main road walking towards the LBJ Medical Center. Tali was approached by two detectives and explained that he was subject of a search warrant.

Tali compiled and was patted down for weapons and officer’s discovered a clear glass pipe containing a white crystalline substance inside. He was immediately apprehended and placed inside a police unit.

On the same date at 7:19p.m, Tali was Mirandized, using the Samoan translation of the Miranda form, which he signed and acknowledged to officers he understood his rights but refused to make a statement and answer any questions.

According to Tali’s verbal statement, he admitted to smoking his pipe just a minute before police observed him on the road. Tali later told the officer on duty that he was aware that Tilei was selling meth and marijuana from his house and that he, the defendant, would buy his products from Tilei. He also stated that Tilei and his girlfriend Falepau both sell them meth and that if Tilei is not available, it is Falepau they call and go to buy meth.

Tali also stated that he works for Tilei’s landscaping company and sometimes Tilei would pay him with a baggie of ice worth $25. Tali was booked and later confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility for 48 hours.

He is being charged with one criminal count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (to wit: methamphetamine).

His bond is set for $8,000.

Tali had his initial court appearance yesterday, Thursday, June 8, 2023.