U.S. District Court for the NMI Designated Judge David Wiseman did not allow Julita A. Sablan, Roque Norita and Inos Germinaro to post bail.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Benedetto who represented the federal government, cited the defendants’ “flight risk and danger to the community.”
Sablan was represented by attorney G. Anthony Long while Norita and Germinaro appeared without counsel.
Wiseman said preliminary examination for Sablan will be held on Oct. 2, while Norita and Germinaro’s preliminary examination was set for Sept. 25.
Wiseman then remanded the three defendants to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives special agent Hoang M. Nguyen effected Wiseman’s arrest orders issued on Wednesday against the defendants.
Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Daniel G. Holcomb stated in his criminal complaint and affidavit that between Aug. 2008 and July 2009, Sablan, Norita and Germinaro “knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed together” to possess and distribute “ice” which is a controlled substance.
Sablan “was at all times the source of supply” of “ice,” Hoclomb stated.
Norita and Germinaro “were retail sellers, runners, intermediaries and lieutenants” of Sablan, Holcomb added.
On Aug. 12 and 26, 2008, Holcomb said Germinaro sold “ice” to a cooperating source who was then working with the CNMI/DEA Task Force.
On Feb. 25, 2009, Sablan possessed 1.2 actual grams of “ice” with intent to distribute, Holcomb added.
On Feb. 19, 2009, Norita sold “ice” to a cooperating source.
On same day, Norita received $400 cash from a cooperating source as advance payment to purchase methamphetamine from Sablan, Holcomb said.
On July 27, 2009, Sablan possessed and with intent to distribute “ice” at Candi Poker in Tanapag, Holcomb said.
He added that on the following day, Sablan possessed and with intent to distribute methamphetamine at Banana Beach.
Holcomb stated that a cooperating source placed a recorded telephone call to Sablan, wherein $200 worth of “ice” was ordered from her.
Sablan then instructed the cooperating source to meet her at Banana Beach in Tanapag.
Sablan was followed by authorities at the pre-arranged location, where she arrived on a white pick-up.
Government agents captured on digital video the transaction between Sablan and cooperating source who received 0.07 grams of “ice” in exchange for $200.
Forensic analysis on the substance given by Sablan to the cooperating source indicated that it was “ice,” Holcomb said.
