by Nick Delgado

Guam - One of three people indicted for attempting to distribute more
than 500 grams of methamphetamine earlier this year pleaded guilty to
the charges in District court this morning. Monica Leasiolagi admitted
that between August 1 and September 13 of this year she agreed to
participate in distributing the drug ice on Guam along with two
others. As we reported, Customs officers found approximately 617 grams
of meth inside a FedEx package. Authorities removed the drugs and
replaced it with sham, and the package was delivered to a Yona
Residence. Leasiolagi's co-defendants, Martha Burgos and John Michael
Pangelinan allegedly had her take the package to a hotel room at the
Westin resort in Tumon. Leasiolagi faces a minimum of 10 years behind
bars with a maximum life sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy
to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. A provision discussed
in court today is that she provided substantial assistance in the
case. Her sentencing will be set for a later date and she remains out
of prison under strict court conditions. She is scheduled to return to
court for a status hearing on March 28. Meantime, Burgos and
Pangelinan are set to go to trial next week Thursday, December 6
before chief judge Francis Tydingco Gatewood at 9:30am.