3 indicted for distribution, possession of ‘ice’

Posted on Dec 15 2016

Tag: Garth Backe, Qiran Li, Yang Kang Chen, Yang Zou

Three men were indicted in federal court for distribution and possession of methamphetamine or “ice” on separate occasions on Saipan.

Qiran Li, Yang Kang Chen, and Yang Zou were arrested and taken before the U.S. District Court for the NMI for their initial appearance yesterday afternoon.

Assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe appeared for the U.S. government at the hearing.

The indictments, which were filed under seal last Dec. 2, were unsealed yesterday.

Li was charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.

Chen, also known as Akam, Ah-Kong, and Ken, was charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.

Zou was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictments did not indicate the quantity of “ice” involved in the three cases.

The indictments contain the U.S. government’s notice of forfeiture of the defendants’ all property derived from any proceeds that they obtained as a result of such offense, upon their conviction.

Ferdie De La Torre | Reporter

Ferdie Ponce de la Torre is a senior reporter of Saipan Tribune. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has covered all news beats in the CNMI. He is a recipient of the CNMI Supreme Court Justice Award. Contact him at ferdie_delatorre@Saipantribune.com

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