The CNMI Customs and Biosecurity Division intercepted over 70 grams of methamphetamine or \u201cice\u201d that an arriving passenger had tried to sneak in at the Francisco C. Ada\/Saipan International Airport. <\/p>\n
According to a report from the division, Customs officers seized approximately 72.8 gross grams of crystal methamphetamine on a male passenger during a routine Customs and biosecurity clearance of arriving passengers at the airport. <\/p>\n
In a previous interview with Customs officials, Saipan Tribune learned that the street value of methamphetamine in the CNMI is around $500 to $600 a gram right now, mainly because of tight supplies. <\/p>\n
The Customs Biosecurity Division made the seizure with the assistance of law enforcement partners from the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Because it is an open investigation, the male passenger has yet to be identified. <\/p>\n
Customs officers reported that the male passenger arrived via United Airlines Flight 116 at approximately 6:25am and was examined for routine Customs clearance. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Through the clearance process and the inspection of the passenger\u2019s belongings, officers found two small clear plastic baggies containing the residue of a white crystalline substance inside a backpack. \u00a0 A presumptive positive test was conducted on the residue, and it yielded a positive result for methamphetamine. <\/p>\n
Customs officers inspected the man\u2019s additional baggage, a duffel bag, and allegedly noticed a small white silica gel packet that appeared altered. Silica gel packets are packets used to absorb moisture to keep items dry. <\/p>\n
Customs officers then opened the packet and observed white crystalline substance inside that also yielded positive for methamphetamine following a presumptive test. <\/p>\n
In addition to the crystalline substance discovered in the man\u2019s belongings, officers also discovered one clear medium-sized Ziploc baggie and one small clear Ziploc baggie containing white crystalline substance on the passenger himself. <\/p>\n
This comes in the wake of recent drug seizures made by Customs. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, the division intercepted roughly over eight pounds of methamphetamine worth over $1 million at the CNMI\u2019s ports of entry like the U.S. Postal Service, the Port of Saipan, and now the Saipan airport. <\/p>\n
The most recent seizure happened last May 1, when Customs seized over two pounds of ice. The interception led to the discovery of a meth den in Papago. <\/p>\n
The largest seizure this year was the interception of over 5 lbs of meth at the U.S. Post Office last March. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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