Francisco Herrera Salas, Attempted Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, Guam 2020

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Table of Contents

Two Men Sentenced to 108 Months for Attempted Methamphetamine Trafficking

Hagatña, Guam – In a significant blow to Guam’s illicit drug trade, two local men have been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking operation.

Francisco Herrera Salas, 43, of Barrigada, Guam, and Joseph Mesa Babauta, 48, of Agat, Guam, were convicted of Attempted Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).

The sentencing marks the culmination of a multi-agency investigation that began in December 2020, when federal agents intercepted three priority mail packages containing methamphetamine. One of the packages was addressed to ‘Frankie Salas’ and contained 1,781 grams of the illicit substance.

Agents replaced the methamphetamine with a sham substance and conducted a controlled delivery, which resulted in the arrest of both Salas and Babauta. During the investigation, agents discovered that the defendants had opened the package and handled the contents, as evidenced by clue spray on their hands and clothing.

U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, stating, ‘The Postal Inspection Service continues to interdict drug trafficking in our mail system. We will aggressively prosecute those associated with this illicit activity.’

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen F. Leon Guerrero and Benjamin K. Petersburg.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Services, Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division – Guam Office, and Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency.

Sentencing details:

Defendants: Francisco Herrera Salas and Joseph Mesa Babauta
Criminal Charges: Attempted Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
City and State: Hagatña, Guam
Exact Date: December 2020
Sentence: 108 months in federal prison
Special Assessment Fee: $100
Supervised Release: 3 years