Gavin Domingo Alimurong, a 27-year-old resident of Dededo, Guam, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. The sentencing was announced by Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Alimurong faced charges in the U.S. District Court of Guam for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride, as outlined under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and 846.
In addition to his prison sentence, Alimurong forfeited four vehicles, jewelry, luxury bags, and $350,164 in cash. He is also subject to five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Convictions on federal drug offenses may disqualify defendants from certain federal benefits.
Alimurong's activities spanned from July 2019 to July 2022 when he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Guam. He acquired drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy via the dark web using Bitcoin transactions for payments through the U.S. Postal Service.
In December 2021, following a domestic violence investigation involving Alimurong by the Guam Police Department, law enforcement seized significant quantities of drugs including methamphetamine and cocaine from his residence and vehicle along with various paraphernalia and luxury items.
Further investigations uncovered an additional $257,040 in cash linked to illegal drug sales stored in a locker. Western Union records showed that Alimurong transferred $103,165 to individuals across several countries including China and Vietnam.
“Law enforcement removed a prolific drug dealer from the streets of Guam,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Drug defendants...face more than a substantial term of imprisonment.”
Anthony Chrysanthis from the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division emphasized that “drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our communities.” Homeland Security Investigations Hawaii Special Agent Lucy Cabral-DeArmas remarked on the defendant’s disregard for public safety due to profit motives.
Stephen Sherwood from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service highlighted consequences for exploiting mail services for drug trafficking while Jonathan Blais from ATF Seattle noted that “drugs and guns are a losing combination.”
The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through multi-agency efforts.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including DEA, Guam Police Department Special Investigations Section among others with Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas prosecuting the case.
