Peter Anthony Conception Santos, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Guam …

HAGÅTÑA, GUAM – Peter Anthony Conception Santos, 44, is headed to federal prison after receiving a 63-month sentence for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation on Guam. Acting U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson announced the sentencing today, alongside orders for three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $100 assessment fee. The conviction also carries the potential loss of federal benefits, a standard consequence for those convicted of federal drug crimes.

Santos was originally charged on November 18, 2015, with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride. He later pleaded guilty on February 23, 2016, to an Information charging him with Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, violating 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. Federal prosecutors also pursued forfeiture of assets linked to the drug operation.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), revealed a sophisticated scheme to distribute substantial quantities of methamphetamine across Guam using the U.S. mail system. Law enforcement seized approximately 4.5 kilograms of the drug, boasting a staggering 99 percent purity level. A search conducted during Santos’ arrest also yielded $2,772 in cash. The haul demonstrates the significant profits fueling this illegal operation.

Santos wasn’t working alone. He testified against his co-defendant, Justin Cruz, who received a far harsher sentence of 35 years imprisonment on March 22, 2017, for Conspiracy to Distribute methamphetamine. Santos’ cooperation likely played a role in the judge’s decision to reduce his sentence, though it didn’t spare him from a lengthy prison term. The Cruz sentence underscores the severity with which federal authorities are treating large-scale drug trafficking on the island.

This wasn’t a solo operation. The OCDETF investigation was a massive collaborative effort, involving a multitude of federal and local agencies. Agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Guam Police Department (GPD), Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (GCQA), Superior Court of Guam Probation Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), U.S. National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service (CGIS) all contributed to the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde Lemons, Jr., prosecuted the case for the District of Guam. The successful prosecution serves as a warning to those attempting to profit from the misery of addiction: bringing poison to Guam won’t pay, and the consequences will be severe. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the region.

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