Wife of driver stopped for no seat belt comes to the rescue — but not soon enough

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The driver of a truck was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of drugs after being stopped for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt on the early morning of June 24th.

After stopping the vehicle, police officers approached it and the driver identified himself as Talaese Finauga, the defendant in this case. He was alone in the vehicle.

Before officers explained to Finauga the reason for the stop, the defendant quickly told officers that he forgot his driver’s license at home but it’s still valid. He also told officers that his immigration ID is also still valid but he doesn’t know where he put it.

As they spoke, officers noticed that Finauga was nervous and he made a lot of movements inside the vehicle. Finauga was informed that they were going to impound his vehicle at the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) because he did not have a driver’s license.

Before Finauga was transported to the TPS, officers conducted a body search where they found two small stamp-sized baggies containing white crystalline substance inside his left rear pocket. Nothing was found inside the vehicle when officers conducted an inventory search.

When asked about the drugs, Finauga admitted to police that the methamphetamine belonged to him. He told officers that he’s not a dealer but he only used meth occasionally. Finauga apologized to officers for his action and begged them for a second chance.

Two hours later, Finauga’s wife arrived at the TPS with the defendant’s driver’s license and his immigration ID.

The white crystalline substance found inside the two small baggies was tested and turned out positive for methamphetamine.

Finauga made his initial appearance in last month. He later waived his right to a preliminary examination and his case has been bound over to High Court.

Finauga, 46, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by imprisonment of 5-10 years, a fine between $5,000-$20,000 or both.

Bail is set at $5,000.