COMMONWEALTH Utilities Corp. Executive Director Antonio Muna has designated Manuela Reyes as acting deputy director of CUC Tinian.
CUC Tinian resident director Edward Quichocho was arrested on Nov. 10 for “ice” trafficking.
In a memorandum, Muna urged deputy directors and division managers to extend their “usual support and cooperation” to Reyes.
Reyes’ “new responsibilities” will continue “until further notice,” Muna said.
An official of CUC, who declined to be identified, said they were saddened about the arrest of Quichocho because the resident director had been doing “good” on Tinian.
Quichocho has been released to his brother as third party custodian.
Quichocho posted 10 percent of the $10,000 cash bail while the balance in unsecured bond is to be issued by the CUC official and his brother Ramon as third party custodian.
Quichocho will return to court on Jan. 11, 2010 for the jury trial.
Quichocho is represented by attorney Michael Dotts, while Assistant U.S. Attorney James Benedetto is prosecuting the case.
The court told Quichocho to surrender his firearm and ordered him to stay away from the airport and not to leave Saipan without a court order.
The court also ordered Quichocho to surrender his passport and not to tamper with his drug results or potential witnesses or victims.
When sought for comment after the hearing, Dotts said the complaint was an “old allegation” and the arrest of his client came as “a complete surprise.”
On Tuesday, Quichocho was arrested by Department of Public Safety Tinian office in collaboration with federal agents, according to Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Michael Byerley.
Quichocho was indicted by a grand jury for distribution of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
