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Court OKs disclosing informant
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Posted on Dec 23 2008
The federal court yesterday granted a motion by a man who had been indicted for yielding the second biggest haul of crystal meth in the CNMI to disclose the identity of the confidential informant in the case.
The defendant, Song Yong Ming, was represented by his lawyer, Joey P. San Nicolas, during the court hearing while Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto appeared on behalf of the U.S. government.
U.S. District Judge Alex R. Munson said he ordered the granting of the motion after carefully reviewing the parties’ briefs and the relevant legal authority and the benefit of oral argument and good cause.
The court said it should disclose the identity of its confidential informant by Wednesday, Dec. 31, to assist in the preparation of Song’s defense.
Munson said that Song’s lawyer should not reveal the identity of the source to anyone for any reason other than an investigation as may be necessary.
The U.S. government earlier indicted Song, a garment worker who was reported as yielding the second biggest haul so far of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “ice” in the CNMI.
Song, 41, was indicted with possession of 138 grams of ice worth $80,000 within 1,000 feet of a school with intent to distribute.
Song has pleaded not guilty.
Police Sgt. Anthony Macaranas and Police Officer Daniel Punimata recovered the drug haul during a random check.
The police officers flagged down Song, an employee of Rifu Garment Factory in San Vicente, for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt.
