During their initial appearance in court on Friday, Associate Judge David Wiseman directed the Public Defender’s Office to make a determination for the defendants’ legal representation.
Mike Evangelista, 53, was separately facing a charge of illegal possession of controlled substance, and trafficking of controlled substance.
Kurt Borja King, 29, and Byron Dela Cruz, 27, were charged with illegal possession of controlled substance, and trafficking of controlled substance.
Assistant Attorney General William Downer represented the government while Assistant Public Defender Richard Miller was on standby.
In his affidavit, Detective Steven A. Castro said Detectives Dennis Reyes and Sean White conversed with a cooperating source on March 25, 2010 regarding Evangelista, who was selling “ice” from his house in San Jose village.
The next day, the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force was able to buy $50 worth of “ice” from Evangelista.
Authorities likewise learned that King was also selling “ice.”
Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo issued a search warrant and the DPS/Customs Drug Task Force conducted a recorded and controlled buy-walk operation against King and Dela Cruz, in which the cooperating source was able to purchase $100 worth of “ice.”
Detective Roque K. Camacho said King and the cooperating source met in the U-Luck Poker Room and proceeded to the residence of Dela Cruz.
Camacho said Dela Cruz then handed over to the cooperating source a clear Ziplock baggie containing “ice.”
Authorities arrested the three defendants on Thursday morning.
