METHAMPHETAMINE or “ice” packed in a see-through plastic resealable zipper storage bag wrapped in brown paper towel inside a piece of bread was found by a Customs officer after a K-9 reacted to a parcel headed to Tinian at the Saipan Commuter Airport Thursday afternoon.
The parcel, which was inspected in the plane loading area, contained six pieces of bread, a T-shirt, and three bags of rice crackers.
A white crystalline substance weighing approximately 0.07 gram was found inside a small clear Ziploc bag stuffed in a piece of bread. The substance tested presumptive positive for presence of methamphetamine, Customs said.
Further investigation and a review of security video footage from the Star Marianas Air loading area identified Barry Lloyd Lizama, 48, as the person in possession of the parcel and who checked it in as cargo.
On Friday, Lizama appeared before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho for a bail hearing.
The government charged Lizama with one count of possession of a contraband substance, and Judge Camacho imposed a $100,000 cash bail on the defendant.
Lizama, who is unemployed, was represented by Assistant Public Defender Emily Thompson while Assistant Attorney General Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
Lizama was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections and was ordered to return to court for preliminary hearing on Jan. 6, at 9 a.m. and for arraignment on Jan. 12 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, Lizama has previous convictions that included theft and possession of firearms.
