Alleged leader of ‘ice’ suppliers pleads guilty

The man tagged by authorities as the alleged leader of a group of methamphetamine or “ice” suppliers on Saipan pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court as part of a deal with the U.S. government.
Xing Bo Fang, 36, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The offense carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $10-million fine, and a $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona accepted Fang’s guilty plea and the plea agreement.

Fang will be sentenced on July 11, 2014. Attorney David Banes served as his court-appointed counsel.

Under the plea deal, the court may order Fang to pay restitution in the amount of $2,700 to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fang shall also immediately forfeit to the U.S. all of his right, title, and interest to $8,500 representing the sum equal to the proceeds derived from the offense.

Assistant U.S. attorney Ross Naughton stated that, according to the factual basis of the plea agreement, Fang sold about 98.7 grams of 98.0 percent pure methamphetamine hydrochloride to a confidential source of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Dec. 27, 2013, at the instruction of Fang’s co-defendant, Yu Hua Wang. Fang himself personally handled the drug and handed it over to the DEA confidential source.

Naughton said that, while the confidential source did not give any money to Fang or Wang on that day, the confidential source later gave Wang $8,500 in U.S. government “buy money.”

Before that, on Nov. 18, 2013, Fang sold 14.6 grams of 98.5 percent pure methamphetamine hydrochloride to the same DEA confidential source for $2,700, Naughton said.

Fang and Wang were among seven persons arrested in February by joint local and federal law enforcements for alleged distribution of “ice.” Wang is being tagged as the alleged second-in-command of an organization of drug suppliers on Saipan.

The indictment charged Fang and Wang with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. In addition, Wang was charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

The U.S. government also wants to forfeit Wang’s leasehold interest in a real property on Sailing Drive in Dandan, a white 2004 Lexus ES330 four-door sedan, and Fang’s and Wang’s $11,400 cash, upon their conviction.