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Two men deny importing illegal drugs
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Posted on Feb 25 2000
Two Filipinos yesterday pled not guilty before the U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy to import methampetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as “ice.”
In a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney, Jaime F. Maniquiz and Eduardo V. Cruz were also charged with conspiracy to distribute the illegal substance.
Federal Court Judge Alex Munson has set a $25,000 unsecured bond on Mr. Cruz. However, he did not set any bail for Mr. Maniquiz since he is currently in the custody of the Division of Corrections facing a separate criminal case before the Superior Court.
The complaint was supported by an affidavit from Raymond M. Renguul, a member of the Drug Enforcement Agency/CNMI Task Force for almost three years.
Members of the CNMI/DEA Task Force, through a cooperating individual, conducted a recorded purchase of “ice” from Mr. Cruz on Feb. 10, 2000.
In another incident, Feb. 19, 2000, the individual also conducted a recorded purchase of “ice” which led to the arrest of Mr. Cruz. During the buy-bust operation, Mr. Cruz pointed to Mr. Maniquiz as the source of the illegal drugs, who was then residing at the Hotel California in Garapan.
On Feb. 21, 2000, the agents monitored a telephone conversation between the two wherein Mr. Cruz was to deliver the remaining cash proceeds to Mr. Maniquiz at Hotel California.
Immediately, a search warrant was obtained and served on Mr. Maniquiz at room 303 of Hotel California where “ice” residue, packaging materials, a digital scale and “ice” paraphernalia were seized.
Mr. Maniquiz waived his constitutional rights and gave the DEA/CNMI Task Force a statement admitting that he imported “ice” into the CNMI and sold ice to the people here on the island. He said the money found in his room was proceeds from the sale of “ice”.
According to the complaint, Mr. Maniquiz and other conspirators smuggled ice into the CNMI from the Philippines in October 1999 and February 2000. Also during those dates, Mr. Maniquiz and Mr. Cruz conspired to sell and distribute “ice” on the island.
On Feb. 10, 2000 Mr. Cruz intentionally distributed approximately 1 gram of “ice”. Likewise, on Feb. 19, 2000, Mr. Cruz intentionally distributed the same amount of “ice.” (LFR)
