Overview:
Police seized more than 113 grams of methamphetamine, a handgun and ammunition during an early-morning raid on a Ulimang home, leading to the arrest of a repeat drug offender who was later injured in a jailhouse altercation, authorities said.
By: L.N. Reklai
Koror, Palau (Dec. 15, 2025) — Police seized more than 113 grams of methamphetamine, a handgun and ammunition after executing a search warrant at a residence in Ulimang, Ngaraard, early Thursday morning, authorities said.
Officers raided the home of Burton Wenty at about 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Wenty was not at the residence at the time of the raid and was not immediately located, police said.
During the search, officers confiscated approximately 113 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, a .22-caliber handgun, a magazine containing eight rounds of ammunition, and various drug-related materials. Items seized included plastic straws, Ziploc bags, surgical scissors, smoking pipes, glass tubes and other paraphernalia associated with drug use and distribution.
Wenty was later found and arrested on Saturday, Dec. 13, and was subsequently arraigned.
He faces multiple charges, including two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm and eight counts of possession of ammunition.
If convicted, each count of possession of a controlled substance carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of at least $10,000. Trafficking of a controlled substance carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a fine of not less than $50,000. A conviction for possession of a firearm carries a penalty of up to $5,000 in fines and not less than 15 years in prison, while possession of ammunition is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.
Wenty has a history of drug-related convictions. He was convicted multiple times for drug possession and trafficking in the past and received a pardon in 2009. In 2021, he was again convicted for possession of a controlled substance.
Following his arrest, Wenty was taken into custody. According to reliable sources, he was later attacked while in jail by inmate Chico Matsuoka, who was recently convicted of murdering another inmate, Johnston Etpison.
Sources said Matsuoka struck Wenty on the head with a piece of rebar, causing injuries to his head and a laceration to his jaw.
Bureau of Public Safety Director Curtis Elobt confirmed that Wenty was transported to the hospital following an altercation with Matsuoka. Elobt said reports of the incident had been exaggerated, describing it as a scuffle rather than a serious assault.
“He was not seriously injured,” Elobt said, adding that Wenty has other medical conditions and was taken to the hospital for observation.
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