Guojing Chen is escorted by a Corrections officer to a bail hearing at the Guma’ Hustisia on Wednesday afternoon.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
SUPERIOR Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed a $100,000 cash bail for the release of Guojing Chen, also known as “Brother,” who is accused of selling $1,000 worth of methamphetamine to a cooperating defendant.
Chen, 38, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance and illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Judge Camacho noted that the defendant also has seven unresolved traffic cases pending in court.
At a bail hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Chen was represented by Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig while Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government. A Chinese interpreter was provided for Chen during the proceedings.
Chen was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections after the hearing and was ordered to return to court for a preliminary hearing on June 27 at 10 a.m., followed by an arraignment on June 30 at 9 a.m.
According to the complaint against Chen, on April 17, the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a monitored “buy-walk” operation using a cooperating defendant to purchase $1,000 worth of methamphetamine from Chen.
DETF agents equipped the cooperating defendant with an audio/video recording device to document the meeting and transaction with Chen.
At a pre-arranged location, the cooperating defendant met with Chen, and — as observed by DETF officers — purchased approximately 10.09 grams of methamphetamine.
The crystalline substance, contained in a Ziploc bag, was field-tested and confirmed positive for methamphetamine.
No other information about the defendant was available as of press time Wednesday evening.
