YUZHU Zhang on Tuesday pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Zhang appeared before Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI for a change of plea hearing and was represented by attorney David Banes. Dennis Tse served as Zhang’s interpreter.
Judge Manglona accepted Zhang’s guilty plea after finding that the defendant was fully competent to enter a knowing and voluntary plea.
The judge vacated the jury trial and ordered the plea agreement to be unsealed.
Judge Manglona scheduled Zhang’s sentencing for Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.
After the hearing, Zhang was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Flores Jr., will file a motion for a preliminary order of forfeiture.
In CNMI Superior Court, following a motion from the Office of the Attorney General, Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho dismissed with prejudice the local drug case against Zhang.
Judge Camacho also vacated the jury trial scheduled for March 27.
CNMI Assistant Attorney General Steven Kessel said they were dismissing the case because the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Guam and the NMI had filed a federal charge against Zhang.
Zhang, 48, was accused of attempting to smuggle from California through the mail 4.9 pounds of methamphetamine. The seized contraband had a street value of approximately $700,000, authorities said.
In local court, Zhang was charged with importation of contraband, trafficking, and possession of a controlled substance.
Each individual charge carries a maximum punishment of 25 years of imprisonment.
