Man who fled CNMI to evade drug-related charges ordered detained

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona has ordered the detention of Fang Ye, a man accused of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fled the island.

Last Friday, Manglona granted the government’s motion to detain Fang Ye aka “Batu” who is accused of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fled the island.

Fang, 41, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers.

Earlier this month Fang was extradited from Palau to Saipan to face the charges filed against him in federal court.

In Palau, Fang was among a group arrested in January for their involvement in the homicide of a tour guide.

Fang, through court-appointed attorney David Banes, waived the reading of the charge and his rights and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges filed against him last May 3.

Manglona, for her part, accepted Fang’s plea of not guilty and scheduled a jury trial for July 9, 2024.

Fang is accused of conspiring to smuggle methamphetamine in lava lamps from California to Saipan and distribute it.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Fang directed and coordinated the shipment from California and receipt on Saipan of the lava lamps containing methamphetamine.

Last year, the CNMI Division of Customs and Biosecurity intercepted and seized 10 lbs. of liquid methamphetamine valued at $1.8 million after inspecting two packages that contained four lava lamps at the U.S. Post Office in Chalan Kanoa.