Overview:
Two men, including an overstaying tourist, face felony drug charges in Palau after authorities seized methamphetamine in separate cases this fall. The arrests underscore the nation’s ongoing crackdown on illegal drug trafficking and possession.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Palau authorities have filed felony drug charges in two separate cases this fall, in an ongoing effort to curb illegal drug trafficking and possession across the nation.
In the first case, Doulos Rirou Hideo was formally charged on October 6 with possession of a controlled substance after officers discovered less than one gram of methamphetamine in his belongings during his detention at the Division of Corrections in May. Hideo was initially arrested by patrol officers responding to a disturbance report, court documents state.
A subsequent inventory search of Hideo’s bag uncovered two clear straws containing white crystalline substances, alongside other drug paraphernalia. Laboratory testing later confirmed the substance as methamphetamine hydrochloride, “meth” or “ice”. Authorities allege Hideo’s intent to use and possess the illegal drug is evident given the presence of paraphernalia and tools recovered from his bag.
If convicted, Hideo faces a minimum of five years in prison and a fine of at least $10,000 under Palau’s controlled substances statutes.
The second case involves Dacong Wu, a Chinese national accused of trafficking and possessing methamphetamine in multiple quantities. Wu, who arrived in Palau as a tourist in July but has since overstayed his visa, was arrested on September 3 after a sting operation by the Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU).
According to affidavits filed with the Supreme Court, a confidential informant arranged to buy methamphetamine from Wu using marked currency. NEU tracked the transaction as Wu instructed the informant via WhatsApp, using pinned GPS locations for dropping off cash and picking up drugs near Belau National Hospital and in Malakal. Officers observed Wu’s movements and arrested him after he allegedly collected the cash placed by the informant.
The ensuing search of Wu’s vehicle turned up more than $3,800 in cash, including the marked buy money. At Wu’s Morisong, Meyuns residence, police found bottles, Ziploc bags, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, and multiple quantities of methamphetamine. Laboratory analysis identified at least two separate batches, each exceeding one gram, as well as a smaller amount discovered on Wu’s table.
Wu now faces five felony counts, including two for trafficking and two for possession of more than one gram of a controlled substance, with total potential penalties reaching up to 50 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $1 million.
Both defendants are currently in custody and await further court proceedings.
Proliferation of illegal drugs in the Palau community has become what many in the community, including Palau’s Council of Chiefs, call a “drug crisis”.
These cases highlight ongoing local and cross-border efforts to address methamphetamine abuse and trafficking within Palau.
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