Dong Han, age 52, and Yinhua Yang, age 49, both Chinese nationals, were sentenced on March 26 in the U.S. District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands for their involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The sentencing was announced by Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Han and Yang each received a sentence of 36 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess five grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. Both were also ordered to serve one year of supervised release, complete 50 hours of community service, and pay a $100 special assessment fee.
According to information released by authorities, Homeland Security Investigations began investigating Han and Yang in March last year after receiving tips from a cooperating defendant regarding methamphetamine trafficking activities in Saipan. The investigation revealed that Han distributed drugs with assistance from Yang, who managed Smile Bar in Paseo de Marianas.
Law enforcement monitored meetings at Smile Bar where Han offered to sell methamphetamine. On May 9 last year, under law enforcement supervision, a cooperating defendant met with both defendants at Smile Bar and provided $1,000 for drugs. Later that day Yang directed the individual to retrieve over ten grams of methamphetamine packaged inside a cigarette pack near a stairwell at the business.
“Law enforcement continues to combat drug trafficking by foreign nationals in the CNMI,” said United States Attorney Anderson. “As this case demonstrates, we will seek sentencing enhancements to hold drug dealers fully accountable for their unlawful conduct. I commend the work of this multi-agency team in bringing these defendants to justice.”
Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Division overseeing Guam said: “This sentencing sends a stern message to criminals who peddle dangerous drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our communities. The fact that these drug traffickers were conducting illicit activity within yards of a school was especially concerning...The strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies demonstrates DEA’s relentless commitment to bringing drug criminals to justice and halting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations as well as cooperation from local law enforcement agencies.
