Cash, meth and THC found on alleged drug dealer

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Alaivaa Mase is being held in custody without bail on six criminal drug-related charges. 

The defendant appeared in the District Court this week, in connection with the drug bust at the Customs warehouse earlier this month. He is facing three counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and three counts of importation of contraband.

According to court documents, on December 15, the Department of Public Safety was notified by Customs Officers that two FedEx boxes had been seized from an off-island cargo shipment.

One of the boxes contained two vacuum-sealed packages of suspected methamphetamine, with weights of approximately 4.2 ounces and 16.4 ounces, respectively. The second box contained another vacuum-sealed package of suspected methamphetamine weighing about 16.1 ounces, along with twelve cartridges of suspected THC oil intended for use in a vape pen. 

Furthermore, court documents indicate the addressee of both boxes was listed as D. Mose. Before turning the boxes over to the police, customs agents conducted field tests, which confirmed their suspicions that the substances were indeed methamphetamine and THC, a compound found in cannabis. 

It is alleged that law enforcement officials coordinated a controlled delivery of two suspicious packages through the local shipping company, Cargo Services Logistics (CSL), awaiting the intended recipient, subsequently identified as the defendant, Alaivaa Mase.

On December 18, Mase reportedly contacted CSL, indicating that he would arrive at their facility between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, to retrieve the packages.

On the scheduled date, Mase arrived at the CSL facility to collect the FedEx parcels. Law enforcement officers apprehended him after he exited the CSL office carrying the packages.

According to court documents, when questioned, Mase denied any connection to the methamphetamine, asserting that the packages contained CDs and DVDs.

Subsequent field tests conducted by the police on the suspected substances yielded positive results for both methamphetamine and THC. Furthermore, court filings indicate that Mase had approximately $9,500 in cash at the time of his arrest.

Authorities contend that the quantity of methamphetamine discovered is inconsistent with personal use, suggesting the likelihood of distribution.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]