Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendants Andrew P. Manibusan, age 38, from Antioch, California, and James Bernard Ada Mafnas, age 51, from Barrigada, Guam, were sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to federal imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). Manibusan was sentenced to 168 months, while Mafnas received 121 months. The Court also ordered each defendant to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
From April to June 2021, Manibusan agreed with co-conspirators to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine to Guam from Antioch, California. Manibusan received over $51,000 from co-conspirators J.A. and James Ada Mafnas before he mailed 3,617 grams of methamphetamine to Guam. The package was later intercepted by law enforcement. The Court found that Manibusan acted as an organizer or leader in the drug conspiracy and that the conspiracy involved eight pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also recovered $143,000.00 from the co-conspirators’ residence.
“This case involved a substantial quantity of drugs, in addition to money,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Law enforcement uncovered an organization that was deeply involved in drug trafficking. This is reflected in the number of conspirators and the geographical span of their unlawful activity. Our office looks forward to future enforcement operations as we continue to combat drug crime.”
“HSI will do everything in our power to investigate and bring to justice those who distribute meth,” said John. F. Tobon, Special Agent in Charge HSI Honolulu. “These sentences hold Manibusan and Mafnas accountable for their crimes but serve as a warning that HSI and its federal partners will work to keep the scourge of meth out of our communities.”
“These sentences are another demonstration that we do not tolerate using the U.S. Mail to traffic-controlled substances or launder drug money. Postal Inspectors will continue to pursue anyone who tries to take advantage of the post office and harm our communities,” said Kevin Rho, Acting Inspector in Charge, USPIS, San Francisco Division. “As always, I would like to thank Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, members of our Guam Interagency Anti-Narcotics Task Force (GIANT), and our federal law enforcement partners for their teamwork.”
This joint investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and assistance from the Guam Police Department and Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.