• Pacific Sunday News • October 24, 2010

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20101024/NEWS01/10240314/Ladonga-guilty-of-money-laundering

A man was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy after sending drug proceeds to the Philippines earlier this year, according to the U.S. Office Attorney's Office.

Gilbert Ladonga was found guilty of five counts of international money laundering and one count of conspiracy last week after four days of trial in the District Court of Guam.

Ladonga will be sentenced Jan. 17, 2011, in the District Court of Guam, a press release issued yesterday by the U.S. Office Attorney's Office stated.

The release also noted that evidence at the trial showed that Ladonga transmitted more than $21,000 by wire from Guam to various people in the Philippines in January and February of this year. The money was proceeds from the distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride -- the drug commonly called "ice" -- on Guam allegedly by Gina Fresnoza Medina, Rodean Villa and Henry Pangilinan Fresnoza, the release noted.

Medina, Villa and Fresnoza are scheduled for trial Nov. 15.

"The investigation and prosecution of money laundering such as money laundering associated with drug trafficking is significant. The criminal is deprived of the profits of the illegal activity and without these profits, becomes vulnerable and powerless to continue the criminal enterprise," said U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco. "Law enforcement's efforts in fighting money laundering put an end to further criminal activity."

Marcus Williams, the IRS Special Agent in Charge of Guam, said money laundering is "the life blood of drug dealing."

"We are proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners in bringing yet another money launderer to justice," he added.

Pacific Sunday News files show Ladonga was one of two people indicted in July on a federal charge of money laundering connected to the smuggling and selling of ice. The other person was Ricardo Paras Jr. Both were accused of transferring money from Guam to the Philippines to further the distribution and importation of ice, court documents stated.

According to an indictment filed in the District Court of Guam in July, on or about Jan. 13 of this year, Ladonga transmitted $4,500 to the Philippines with the intent to continue the distribution of ice, which is a schedule II substance.