Man placed on $50K bail after police raid

After a police search unveiled not only stolen items, but also drugs, firearms, and ammunition at a residence in Chalan Kanoa last Thursday, two individuals were arrested, and one of the arrested individuals appeared before the Superior Court in Susupe on Monday for a bail hearing.

The Superior Court placed a $50,000 bail on Glenn S. Palacios, who is facing counts of the storage of firearms, firearms owner’s identification card requirement exceptions, person to permitted to possess ammunition, and illegal possession of controlled substance.

During the hearing, a preliminary hearing was set for Palacios on Aug. 9, 2024 at 10am, and an arraignment on Aug, 19 at 9am. Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig was appointed as the defense attorney for Palacios, and Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds will represent the CNMI government.

After the hearing Palacios was remanded back to the Department of Corrections.

Palacios and Hope Blanco were arrested at their residence in Chalan Kanoa last Thursday during an execution of a search warrant relating to a burglary and theft incident reported to the Department of Public Safety on July 25, 2024. The search warrant had been issued by Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo on July 30, 2024.

Blanco is also facing charges of illegal possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, on Aug. 1, 2024 a search warrant was executed at the residence and at 12:45pm the Rapid Response Team entered Palacios’ residence and cleared the house. Detectives secured Palacios outside his residence, while crime scene technicians entered the residence and took photos and after processing the house, they recovered several zip locks and paraphernalia. Canine officers performed a canine sweep and they were alerted by the odor of narcotics. From there a search team entered and searched the residence.

In Palacios’ bedroom several Ziplocs were recovered, including 47 Ziploc baggies containing residue, crystallized substances, and eight pieces of paraphernalia. Task force officers did a test on the crystallized substance using a Narcotic Identification Kit and it tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Two rifles—one .22 rifle with serial number E759491 and a .410-gauge rifle with no serial number were also recovered, along with three pieces of ammunition. When trying to verify whether both rifles were registered at the DPS Records Office, it was confirmed that they were not registered. During the pat down on Palacios, detectives found $215 on Palacios’ person and another $600 cash on the ground in front of Palacios’ residence.

In a conversation with DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas shortly after the raid, he shared that a “truckload of stolen items had been recovered” from the raid.

He shared that the case is currently an ongoing investigation. When asked for his comment on the recent gun discoveries, he shared that he believes there are very responsible and legal gun owners out there, but just reminded this community of the importance of securing firearms.

“People have to be very vigilant in securing their firearms and make sure that extra measures have been added so that we can protect others from weapons that have been taken [or stolen] and placed in the wrong hands.”