Pacific

Guam court jails drugs offender for 30 years

13:40 pm on 28 May 2009

The US federal district court in Guam has jailed a man for 30 years for importing seven million US dollars worth of methamphetamine.

The court sentenced 39-year-old Richard Ichihara after he pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise.

Ichihara also pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of the drug commonly known as ice.

Also sentenced was 66-year-old Kum Soon Yoo for her role as a courier in Ichihara's operation.

She received eight years and one month in federal prison on a charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of ice, after traveling to Los Angeles to purchase drugs and bring them back to Guam.

Since at least 2004, Ichihara has engaged in trafficking at least 10 kilogrammes of the drug.