A 45-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution ring in Guam. Rodney D. Taitano, a resident of Guam, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The investigation into Taitano’s activities began on May 4, 2013, when Guam Customs Officers intercepted a suspicious package at the Guam Customs Air Cargo Facility. Inside, they discovered methamphetamine concealed inside two air impact wrenches that belonged to Taitano.
It was determined that Taitano was receiving the methamphetamine from California. The drugs were cleverly hidden inside air impact wrenches whose motors had been removed.
According to U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Alicia A.G. Limtiaco, ‘Our community is not immune from the poison of methamphetamine. This case illustrates the hard work our partners in law enforcement do every day to stop the distribution of methamphetamine into Guam.’
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, Superior Court of Guam Probation Office, and United States Postal Inspectors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karon V. Johnson and Clyde Lemons, Jr. represented the United States in this case.
Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood sentenced Taitano to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Taitano was also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
Taitano’s conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat the distribution of methamphetamine in Guam and the surrounding islands.
Related Federal Cases
- Jesus K. Paulino Jr., Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine, Guam 2025 · Hawaii
- Nicholas Alexander Aguon, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Guam 2024 · Florida
- Ramon Velazquez Rodas, Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl, Florida 2022 · Florida
- Dong Han, Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2025 · Hawaii
- Navy Kapeli, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Hawaii 2026 · Hawaii
Key Facts
- State: Guam
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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