Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo yesterday retained the $20,000 cash bail for Eric L. Palacios.
Palacios is being held on charges of possession of controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunitions.
Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Naraja issued the arrest ordered against Palacios after finding probable cause based on the affidavit of Drug Enforcement Task Force Detective Sean White.
Palacios was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections and the court scheduled his arraignment for May 10, 2010.
In his affidavit, Detective White said he received a call from a concerned citizen on April 5, 2010 who reported that Palacios was selling “ice” and marijuana at his house in Kagman.
The informant revealed that Palacios had marijuana plants growing in the unfinished portion of the defendant’s house.
On March 6, 2010 members of CNMI Customs and DPS’ Drug Enforcement Task Force went to Palacios’s residence, where the defendant met the authorities.
Authorities observed that there was a marijuana stick on a plastic picnic table and marijuana plants in the area.
Palacios consented when authorities requested to search the house.
When searched, authorities found a pair of handcuffs, pepper spray with belt holder, flashlight with a pouch and a knife, all strapped to a harness, and a .38 Smith & Wesson special revolver.
Five marijuana plants were seen in the compound, while marijuana leaves were found inside a shoe box.
Recovered also were a speed loader and twenty-three .38 bullets.
