Meth and marijuana allegedly found during traffic stop

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 1, 2024, a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of two individuals who were allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.

Of note, the affidavit is dated July 31, 2025 — when it was filed at the District Court of American Samoa Clerk’s Office.

It’s unknown if the date listing the year as 2024 in the affidavit is when the incident occurred, or if it is a typo. If the date is correct, the affidavit was filed almost a year since the traffic stop occurred.

The two suspects are charged with Count 1: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), 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 but not more than $20,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

Ma was charged with an additional charge of:

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 but not more than $20,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

Ma’s bail was set at $5,000.

Faletoi’s bail was at $2,000.

According to the court affidavit, on August 1, 2024, Vice & Narcotic Unit (VNU) received a call from the Tafuna Police Substation regarding a routine traffic stop involving two individuals who were suspected of being in possession of controlled substances.

Upon arrival at the station, authorities met up with the police officers who conducted the traffic stop who stated that he was stationed next to Iliili public road when he saw a vehicle swerving off the road and back while another vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction. He waved the vehicle down and approached the driver.

The officer stated that the driver was being accompanied by two passengers.

The driver failed to provide a valid driver’s license and was asked to exit the vehicle.

She was then informed that the vehicle will be impounded and was asked to remove any valuable items she may have in the vehicle. However, the driver advised the responding officer that one of the passengers in the back of the vehicle had marijuana.

She also identified the individual as Weiqiang Ma.

Ma then gave up a fanny backpack containing a stamp-sized baggie containing a white crystalline substance, a glass pipe with residue of a white substance, a MC rolling papers, an orange lighter, a syringe and a medium sized baggie containing a green leafy substance.

The officer took possession of the items at the scene and all three individuals in the vehicle were detained and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, authorities conducted a pat-down of the driver and the third individual, Kionasina Faletoi for safety concerns. The pat-down resulted in the discovery of a medium sized baggie containing a crystalline substance inside Faletoi’s pockets.

The crystalline substance inside the glass pipe and a stamp-sized baggie found inside Ma’s fanny backpack and Faletoi’s pocket were tested by VNU officials and yielded positive results for Methamphetamine. The suspected Marijuana also tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Suspects Ma and Faletoi were both Mirandized where they both understood and provided statements.

Both suspects claimed ownership of the drugs found on them.

Ma and Faletoi were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility for 48 hours.

Ma is identified as a 36-year-old citizen of China whereas Faletoi is a 23-year-old U.S National.