CHIEF Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI has sentenced Liang Yang, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, to 55 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The sentencing took place on Aug. 8.
Judge Manglona also ordered Yang to report to immigration officials for deportation proceedings upon his release from prison.
Shawn N. Anderson, U.S. attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, said in a statement:
“Methamphetamine is a poison in our communities. Although commonly trafficked in solid or powder form, liquid methamphetamine presents a unique danger to aviation workers during cargo handling operations. The quantity of drugs seized during this investigation magnifies that concern. Regardless of the form, our federal and local law enforcement partners are skilled in detecting this contraband in our mail system. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute drug traffickers and their sources of supply.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in September 2023, Yang facilitated the shipment of methamphetamine concealed inside lava lamps, which were mailed from California to Saipan. The suspicious packages were intercepted by the CNMI Customs Service.
In collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, authorities conducted a controlled delivery operation that led to the arrest and conviction of Yang and co-conspirator Ye Fang, also known as “Batu,” a PRC national who was unlawfully present in the United States. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately eight pounds of liquid methamphetamine.
Anthony Chrysanthis, deputy special agent in charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Saipan, said:
“As demonstrated by this case, drug criminals will go to extreme lengths to cash out on their product. Be it using lava lamps or other packaging to conceal methamphetamine, drug syndicates are relentless, resourceful, and boldly inventive. But our skilled DEA investigators and law enforcement partners are just as unswerving in their determination to intercept drug traffickers and seize dangerous drugs before they reach our communities. We will continue to work with vehemence to ensure that those who contribute to this country’s drug crisis are held accountable.”
“Liang Yang’s sentencing demonstrates HSI’s dedication to protecting our communities,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “HSI remains focused on preventing drug smuggling and ensuring everyone follows our immigration laws.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge David Porter said:
“The FBI, along with our partner agencies, works relentlessly every day to protect our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking organizations. This sentencing sends a strong message — the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to use every available resource to confront and disrupt these dangerous criminal organizations, wherever they operate.”
Stephen Sherwood, division inspector in charge at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service San Francisco, said:
“USPIS is proud of our work bringing drug traffickers to justice in the CNMI and keeping methamphetamine out of the mail. I want to extend my gratitude to CNMI Customs, the CNMI Department of Public Safety, and the members of the Guam Interdiction Anti-Narcotics Trafficking Task Force, including the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, and the Guam Army National Guard Counterdrug Program. I would also like to acknowledge our federal law enforcement partners for their invaluable collaboration in this case.”
This investigation was led by the DEA with support from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, CNMI Customs, the CNMI Department of Public Safety, and in collaboration with the CNMI Attorney General’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert S. Flores Jr. and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Kost prosecuted the case. Attorney Vincent Seman was court-appointed to represent Yang.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. The operation brings together resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
