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Five Arrested in Saipan on Drug and Weapons Conspiracy Charges
SAIPAN, NMI—LEONARDO M. RAPADAS, United States
Attorney for the Districts of Guam and NMI, together with Timothy J.
Landrum, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA), Robert R. Champion, Special Agent in
Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF), and Charlene B. Thornton, Special Agent in Charge of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the arrests of
DEXTER MARATITA, DAMIEN PUA, JULITA SABLAN, INOS
GERMINARO and ROQUE NORITA. The arrests, based on
complaints filed by the DEA and ATF, are the result of an 18-month-long
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
(OCDETF) investigation by Federal law enforcement agencies
including the DEA, ATF, FBI, United States Marshals Service
(USMS), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The
arrests were made without incident in pre-dawn operations this
morning by an ATF Special Response Team.
ROQUE NORITA, INOS GERMINARO, and JULITA
SABLAN were charged with Conspiracy to Distribute
Methamphetamine, and Possession of Methamphetamine With
Intent to Distribute.
DAMIEN PUA was charged with Possession of a Firearm by
a Prohibited Person for selling a Colt .357 revolver to a
cooperating source working with the DEA and ATF, while being a
convicted felon.
DEXTER ULLOA MARATITA was charged with Possession
of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person for selling a Colt .25 caliber
handgun to a cooperating source working with the DEA and ATF,
while being a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Rapadas praised the aggressive enforcement
work of the Federal law enforcement agencies that investigated
these cases. “It is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities
to get dangerous drugs and illegal guns off the streets,” said
Rapadas. “The investigative work of the Federal agents who
worked on these cases for the past 18 months has been
outstanding.” Rapadas indicated that this investigation continues.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Champion stated
“This investigation is a true example of how U.S. law enforcement
agencies working together will enforce U.S. laws, however remote
the location may be.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum said “for
too long, these drug dealers have poisoned our streets and put
fear into innocent people across our communities. These arrests
dismantle this drug mob and should significantly impact drugrelated
crime in the communities where these organizations
operated. DEA, along with our federal, state and local partners
will continue to pursue and attack criminal organizations that
wreak havoc on our streets and intimidate local residents.”
FBI-Honolulu Special Agent Tom Simon said "We hope that
today's arrests will go a long way toward making Saipan a safer
place to live and work. As this is a continuing investigation, if you
have information to provide regarding the criminal activity alleged
in today's arrests, please call your local FBI office."
Members of the public are reminded that complaints are only
accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until and
unless proven guilty.
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