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UPDATED: Biden commutes the sentences of 4 people linked to major drug trafficking networks in Guam | News

UPDATED: Biden commutes the sentences of 4 people linked to major drug trafficking networks in Guam | News

Three people convicted in major drug cases in recent decades will be released from federal prison after President Joe Biden commuted their sentences, along with nearly 2,500 others, shortly before the end of his term.

Biden commuted another person’s sentence in December.

The Pacific Daily News continues to review the list of thousands of names whose sentences were recently commuted.

Among them are two brothers involved in a major drug trafficking ring, as well as a brother and sister, involved in another major drug case.

cabaccang brothers

Roy and Richard Cabaccang, along with their brother James, were convicted of transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from California to Guam in the early and mid-1990s, according to Pacific Daily News archives.

All three were convicted of criminal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, importation of methamphetamine and money laundering. They were sentenced to life in prison in the District Court of Guam.

Prosecutors at the time said the Cabaccangs’ operation was so successful that it is why “ice” is the drug of choice on Guam.

Biden commuted Roy Cabaccang’s sentence until July 16, 2025, according to the executive grant of clemency the president signed on January 17.

Richard Cabaccang will be released on March 18, 2025.

Medina, Fresnoza brothers

Gina Fresnoza Medina and her brother Henry Pangilinan Fresnoza were convicted of their involvement in a major drug trafficking ring that was active between 2002 and 2011, according to news archives.

The drug ring operated between Manila and Guam, smuggling at least 3 to 4 kilograms of methamphetamine at that time, prosecutors said.

Medina was described as a drug “kingpin” in federal court and was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2012. Her brother was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012.

Medina was the leader of two separate drug conspiracies and was linked to up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine or “ice” with an estimated value of more than $1.2 million, according to news files.

His drug operation was a “big business” and the organization was a “threat to the island,” trafficking drugs of the highest purity, a judge said during Medina’s sentencing.

Biden granted Medina clemency in December and she was released from prison on Dec. 22, 2024, according to documents filed in the District Court of Guam.

His brother, Fresnoza, was pardoned on January 17 and will be released on April 17, 2025.

Condemned people not forgiven

Under the Constitution, the president has the authority to commute or reduce sentences for federal criminal convictions.

Commutations are for those serving longer sentences than they would receive today under current law and practice. Commutation reduces the sentence without forgiving the convicted person.

Biden said in a statement that commuting the nearly 2,500 sentences would help “even out” sentencing disparities.

“Today’s clemency action provides relief to people who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug offenses,” he said.

Biden said the action was an important step to right historical wrongs, correct sentencing disparities and give deserving people the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending too much time behind bars.

“With this action, I have granted more individual pardons and commutations than any president in American history,” Biden said.

The people who received clemency had received longer sentences than they would be under current laws and policies, the White House said.

Methamphetamine in the 90s

In 1991, Roy, James and Richard Cabaccang began bringing crystal methamphetamine or “ice” to Guam.

His drug and money laundering empire was worth more than $1 million, according to court documents.

The Cabaccang drug ring employed more than 40 people and involved various modes of money and drug transfer, including the concealment of bodies.

In 1995, police said Roy Cabaccang controlled 90% of “ice” importation into Guam, according to Pacific Daily News archives.

Records claim the Cabaccang case netted the federal government $500,000 after confiscating jewelry, cars and money.

James and Richard Cabaccang were sentenced in 1998 to life imprisonment.

Roy Cabaccang, the mastermind of the drug importation and money laundering operation, was sentenced to six life sentences, according to news archives. It was the highest punishment ever imposed on Guam at the time.

They were sentenced again in 2005 after the federal appeals court overturned the convictions related to the importation, saying that drug traffickers who cross international airspace on their way to another destination in the United States or its territories should not be punished more harshly. than other national drug traffickers.

James and Richard Cabaccang were resentenced to life in prison, while their brother Roy Cabaccang was resentenced to multiple life sentences.

James Cabaccang was released from federal prison in 2021 after former President Barack Obama commuted his sentence in 2017.