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7 charged with distributing meth on Saipan
The U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Alicia A.G. Limtiaco announced Friday that on Feb. 20, 2014, seven men were arrested on separate charges of distributing methamphetamine. The arrests were made following the filing of federal criminal complaints on Feb. 19, 2014.
Daniel A. Castro, 32, of Saipan, CNMI, was arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint. On Feb. 20, 2014, the grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine on May 29, 2013, June 20, 2013, Nov. 6, 2013, and Feb. 14, 2014.
Vicente S. Palacios, 38, of Saipan, CNMI, was arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint. On Feb. 20, 2014, the grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine on Oct. 11, 2012.
Bao Zhong Wang, 46, of the People’s Republic of China, was arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint. On Feb. 20, 2014, the grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine on Nov. 27, 2014, and Dec. 12, 2012. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, seeking forfeiture of proceeds of the alleged crimes and a vehicle allegedly used to facilitate the crimes.
Hong Wang, 40, of the People’s Republic of China, was arrested on following the filing of a criminal complaint charging him with distributing methamphetamine on March 6, 2013.
Le Xiang Chen, 63, of the People’s Republic of China, was arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint. On Feb. 20, 2014, the grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school on Nov. 8, 2012, and Dec. 12, 2012. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, seeking forfeiture of proceeds of the alleged crimes and a property allegedly used to facilitate the crimes.
Two men—Xing Bo Fang, 46, of the People’s Republic of China, and Yu Hua Wang, 46, of the People’s Republic of China—were arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint charging them jointly with distributing methamphetamine on Dec. 27, 2013.
All seven defendants have been preliminarily detained on the motion of the United States, pending further proceedings before the court scheduled for February 24 and 26, 2014.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Public Safety, and CNMI Customs and Border Protection. The cases are being prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Ross K. Naughton and Rami S. Badawy.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. (USAO)
