by Mindy Aguon
Guam - Rodean Villa is in federal custody after attempting to smuggle in more than a quarter-million dollars worth of crystal methaphetamine in a cake. According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Guam, Villa left Guam to The Philippines last week and returned on Thursday morning on a Philippine Air flight.
Federal law enforcement authorities received confidential information that Villa and Gary Garcia were wiring U.S. currency to the PI for the purpose of purchasing methampethamine. The two wired a total of $33,200 in eight different wire transactions between November of last year and this past February.
Court documents state that Villa is employed at T.G.I. Friday's in Hagatna. Upon arrival to Guam, Customs and Quarantine Agency officers conducted a secondary screening and discovered 391 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrocholoride, also known as "ice", concealed in a cake they had brought back to the island. Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration confirm that the going rate for a gram of the drug ice is approximately $850.
Villa appeared in federal court on Friday afternoon and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 19 before District Court Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan.