Previous Story
Trial begins on ice trafficking
|
Posted on Dec 02 1998
A jury yesterday heard testimonies of government witnesses in a trial of a man indicted for trafficking “ice” into the CNMI.
Daniel Atalig had denied charges that he conspired with four others in bringing in up to 160 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or ice.
Others accused are spouses Felix and Jacqueline Remoket and Johnny and Rizalinda Remoket.
The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by the DEA/CNMI Task Force about the drug shipments made between February and April 24 this year.
The complaint said Johnny and Rizalinda have agreed while in the Philippines in March to deal on ice on Saipan to ease their financial problems.
The first shipment of about 10 grams was made on March 6 through DHL, the complaint said. This was followed by three shipments between March 19 and April 13, it added.
The shipments, made under false names, total 140 grams, the complaint states.
Acting on an informant’s tip, drug agents intercepted a 20-gram DHL cargo of ice on April 24 at the courrier’s Chalan Laulau office.
The swoop resulted in the arrest of Atalig and Johnny Remoket.
A search conducted on the residence of Felix and Jacqueline yielded glass pipes, an envelope containing numbers that matched the DHL airway bill, a map depicting the residence of Felix Remoket and two pairs of female shoes allegedly used to conceal the illegal drugs.
Felix, Rizalinda and Johnny have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import ice; Jacqueline pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony.
They have entered a plea agreement, which also requires them to testify.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Baka, who is prosecuting the case, expects the trial to last until Friday.
