THE Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Task Force have arrested Denmar E. Malabanan, 33, on drug charges after a “buy-walk” operation on March 17, 2022.
Cooperating sources who were monitored and recorded by DETF agents called Malabanan to purchase methamphetamine.
The cooperating sources bought a total of $190 worth of methamphetamine from Malabanan in two buy-walk occasions, court documents stated.
Malabanan was arrested after he was found to be in possession of methamphetamines with the intent to distribute.
The arresting officers also found a total of $930 in his possession including the money used by the cooperating sources to purchase methamphetamine. The money was identified through its serial numbers.
On March 18, 2022, DPS said, a Rule-5 was drafted for the charges of trafficking and possession which was later signed and issued by Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, with bail set at $100,000.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho maintained the $100,000 cash bail imposed on Malabanan at an initial hearing held Monday.
After the hearing, Malabanan was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections and was ordered to return to court on March 30 at 10 a.m., and on April 4 at 9 a.m. for an arraignment.
The court appointed Assistant Public Defender Vena Seelam to represent Malabanan, while Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas appeared for the government.
According to court documents, Malabanan has prior criminal charges that included robbery, assault & battery, and sexual assault of a minor in the 2nd degree.
No other information about the defendant was available as of press time Wednesday evening.
Denmar E. Malabanan
