SHUO Qui, also known as “Ike,” pled not guilty to the charges of drug trafficking and firearms possession in federal court on Tuesday morning.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI accepted Qui’s not-guilty plea and scheduled a jury trial for April 5, 2022 at 10 a.m.
The U.S. government charged Qui with possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien unlawfully in the United States.
According to the indictment, “On or about January 12, 2022, in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands, Defendant Shuo Qiu, a/k/a ‘Ike,’ did knowingly possess fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with intent to distribute, all in violation of Title 21, United 6 States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(l)(A)(viii).”
Qui “did knowingly possess a firearm, to wit: a Raven .25 caliber pistol 11 bearing serial number 731714, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, to wit: Possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute,” the indictment stated.
It added that the defendant “knowing he was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, did knowingly possess a firearm, to wit: a Raven .25 caliber pistol bearing serial number 731714, 21 and various rounds of ammunition, said firearms and ammunition having been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, 23 Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924.”
The prosecution also filed a notice of forfeiture for the money and handguns seized in the defendant’s possession when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the NMI Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant in a hotel room where the defendant was staying.
Upon Qui’s conviction, the U.S. government wants to forfeit $10,537; a Raven .25 caliber pistol with clip, Serial Number 731714; a GAP Bruni 8mm blank firing handgun with clip; 36 rounds of assorted ammunition; and firearm accessories.
After the hearing on Tuesday, Judge Manglona remanded Qui to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Qui was represented by his retained counsel, Robert T, Torres, while Tony Yen served as the defendant’s interpreter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Backe appeared for the federal government.
Qui, in a freely given statement to the DEA following his arrest, stated through an interpreter that he was mainly supplied by two people who would give him between 100 grams and 500 grams, depending on how his sales had been.
Qui also said “he has more local customers than anyone on island.”
No other information about the defendant was available as of press time Tuesday evening.
Correction
The defendant’s name is spelled Shuo Qui and not Shou Qui as erroneously indicated in previous news articles.
