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Woman selling ‘ice’ at dress shop pleads guilty
A woman who allegedly used her dress shop in Chalan Kanoa as a front to sell methamphetamine or “ice” broke down in tears after pleading guilty on Friday.
Hong Xia Shao Ayuyu, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance. A court marshal later brought her tissue and water to calm her down.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho set her sentencing for Aug. 2, 2017.
Ayuyu, through assistant public defender Cindy Nesbit, asked that she be allowed to remain out of custody pending her sentencing but her request was denied. Camacho said that Ayuyu can no longer be presumed innocent after pleading guilty.
Ayuyu was found in possession of 1.6 gross grams of “ice” on Nov. 1, 2016 and 34.5 gross grams of “ice” on Nov. 12, 2016.
The Office of the Attorney General initially charged Ayuyu with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
The OAG later amended the charges to only two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance. The charges carry a maximum prison term of 10 years.
Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
Police said the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force received information that the defendant, also known as Mama, sells “ice” at her business establishment, known as C.K. Dress Shop.
A cooperating defendant managed to buy 1.6 gross grams of “ice” worth $180 from Ayuyu in the back of the dress shop. The same cooperating defendant purchased $660 worth of 3.6 gross grams of “ice” from Ayuyu a few days later.
The task force arrested Ayuyu last Nov. 12. She was released after asking to serve as a cooperating defendant, but was re-arrested for allegedly not cooperating with law enforcers. Ayuyu was re-arrested in Chalan Kanoa.
MD: A woman who allegedly used her dress shop in Chalan Kanoa as a front to sell “ice” pleads guilty.
