7 persons fall in war against ‘ice’

Seven persons were arrested over the weekend on Saipan in separate operations jointly conducted by the Department of Public Safety-CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force in line with war against methamphetamine or “ice.” A total of $650,000 bail was imposed on the suspects.

Arrested were Thomas Tudela Matsunaga, Anthony Sakisat Camacho, Emerita Camacho, Ronnie Malsol San Nicolas, Remedio Sablan Islam, and two others.

Saipan Tribune withheld the names of the two others as their cases are apparently sealed.

All seven of them were taken yesterday before Superior Court associate judges Kenneth L. Govendo and Joseph N. Camacho for their initial appearance.

A total of $125,000 bail was imposed on Matsunaga, who is facing two cases. Matsunaga, 52, is being charged with trafficking and possession of controlled substance in one case. He was charged with possession of controlled substance in the second case.

A $100,000 cash bail was imposed each on Anthony Camacho, Emerita Camacho, San Nicolas, and two other defendants, who are all being charged with trafficking and possession of controlled substance.

A $25,000 cash bail was imposed on the 50-year-old Islam, who is being charged with possession of controlled substance.

Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government in all cases.

In Matsunaga’s case, DETF officers said a cooperating defendant managed to purchase $170 worth of 0.8 gross grams of “ice” from the suspect near Chalan Kanoa Beach Hotel last Aug. 31.

In the second case, a DETF officer said acting on a tip, police officers arrested Matsunaga and co-defendant 50-year-old Islam, who were allegedly caught smoking “ice” inside a car parked in front of Royal Poker in San Antonio last Sept. 20 at 6:21am.

Police said they recovered 0.3 gross grams of “ice” from the car.

Pertaining to Anthony S. Camacho’s case, a DETF officer said a cooperating defendant was able to buy $360 worth of 1.0 gross grams of “ice” from the 41-year-old defendant near Tanapag Cemetery last July 12.

In Emerita Camacho’s case, DETF officers said the defendant served as an associate of a known “ice” trafficker during two buy-bust operations involving a total of 1.2 gross grams of “ice” worth $540 in Susupe last Oct. 5 and 6.

With respect to San Nicolas’ case, a DETF officer said a cooperating source purchased 0.5 gross grams of “ice” worth $200 from the 23-year-old suspect during a buy-walk operation in Susupe last Oct. 6.

Saipan Tribune opted not to disclose information about the operations against the two other suspects as the cases against them are sealed.