United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Saipan, M.P. – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Dong Han, age 52, and Yinhua Yang, age 49, both Chinese nationals, were sentenced on March 26, 2026, in the U.S. District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Han is a lawful permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen.

Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona sentenced Han and Yang to 36 months imprisonment each for Conspiracy to Possess Five Grams or More of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, within 1,000 feet of an Elementary School, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(viii), 846, and 860(a). Both defendants were also sentenced to one year of supervised release, 50 hours community service, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating the defendants in March 2025 after receiving information from a cooperating defendant about methamphetamine trafficking in Saipan. The cooperating defendant identified Han as a methamphetamine distributor and reported purchasing drugs from him on several occasions.

Investigators later determined that Han was working with Yang, the manager of a business known as Smile Bar in the Paseo de Marianas in Saipan. Surveillance, business records, and information from the CNMI Department of Public Safety confirmed Yang’s connection to the establishment.

In April 2025, law enforcement monitored a meeting at Smile Bar during which Han offered to sell methamphetamine to the cooperating defendant. On May 9, 2025, while under law enforcement supervision, the cooperating defendant met with Han and Yang at Smile Bar and provided $1,000 for methamphetamine. Yang later directed the cooperating defendant to retrieve the drugs near a stairwell of the business. The cooperating defendant obtained 10.3 grams of methamphetamine packaged inside a cigarette pack.

“Law enforcement continues to combat drug trafficking by foreign nationals in the CNMI,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “As this case demonstrates, we will seek sentencing enhancements to hold drug dealers fully accountable for their unlawful conduct.  I commend the work of this multi-agency team in bringing these defendants to justice.”

“This sentencing sends a stern message to criminals who peddle dangerous drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our communities. The fact that these drug traffickers were conducting illicit activity within yards of a school was especially concerning,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Division, which oversees Guam. “Eventually, they were held accountable for their actions. The strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies demonstrates DEA’s relentless commitment to bringing drug criminals to justice and halting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.”

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with the CNMI Department of Public Safety.

Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Flores, Jr. and Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. O’Malley prosecuted this case in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.