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Man in drug case charged in fed court
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Posted on Jun 21 2000
The U.S. Attorney’s Office yesterday brought federal charges against a Saipan man who was caught over the weekend in possession of illegal drugs.
Juan Cruz Lizama appeared before U.S. District Judge Alex R. Munson in connection with the complaint that stemmed from his arrest by joint federal and local task force.
The charges involved one count of possession with intent to distribute of between 1.5 to 2 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as “ice,” which were allegedly taken from his home after a federal search warrant was issued on him, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Wood.
Mr. Lizama, who was taken into custody following the search last Friday night, is facing separate charges in the local Superior Court for illegal possession of seven ounces of marijuana and 1.5 grams of methamphetamine which were found in his bedroom. A bail of $20,000 was set for his temporary freedom.
He is currently being detained at the Susupe prison, but Mr. Wood said he has no bail warrant in the federal court. Judge Munson appointed lawyer Perry Inos for Mr. Lizama’s defense and set a preliminary hearing of his case on June 30.
A search warrant was issued on Mr. Lizama based on the information provided to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency/CNMI Task Force agents by cooperating witnesses, said Mr. Wood.
“His home was searched, the drug was found and he was arrested,” he told in an interview. “He has preliminary hearing and it is possible for us to seek an indictment that will cancel the hearing, assuming that the grand jury indicted him but we have not done that yet.”
The forthcoming hearing will show probable cause for his arrest, added Mr. Wood. While the local court has set a bail for Mr. Lizama’s release from custody, the District Court has an order on him that he will continue to be detained until federal authorities can decide what to do with him.
