Overview:
Customs and narcotics officers intercepted a California package containing more than 100 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside silicone sealant tubes, leading to felony charges against a 38-year-old Palau man accused of attempting to import and traffic the drug.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — A 38-year-old man has been charged with attempted importation and trafficking of methamphetamine after customs and narcotics officers intercepted a package from California containing more than 100 grams of meth concealed inside silicone sealant tubes.
Dexter Dbrikt Sadang faces three felony charges in the Trial Division of the Supreme Court. Prosecutors allege he knowingly retrieved the package from the Palau Post Office and intended to deliver it to others under instructions from a contact identified only as “Jack.”
The package was intercepted during routine inspections of incoming international mail at the Palau Post Office on the morning of May 8. Customs K-9 handlers Richie Inosencio and Moren Ringang, working with Bureau of Public Safety K-9 officers Wurley Andy and Rebluud Kazuma, identified the parcel after an X-ray image appeared inconsistent with its declared contents, prompting a secondary inspection.
Officer Andy notified Detective Sgt. Hubson Schalboy, who responded with Drug Task Force officers and Customs Investigator Nicholas Aquino.
Investigators found four silicone sealant tubes concealed inside a dark long-sleeved shirt. A second X-ray revealed that two tubes were completely filled with a dense substance, while the other two contained foreign objects resembling rocks or pebbles embedded in the material, which officers said was inconsistent with commercially manufactured silicone products.
After opening the tubes, officers discovered multiple heat-sealed plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance that was later confirmed to be methamphetamine.
Authorities said the parcel, mailed from California, was addressed to Sadang at a post office box registered to the family of his wife, Candice Koshiba.
The seized narcotics weighed approximately 106.92 grams. Investigators retained about 2.99 grams for laboratory testing and replaced the remaining contents with sham material before conducting a controlled delivery. Postal Inspector Sherry Sisior then scanned the parcel into the postal system and placed a collection notice in the assigned post office box.
At about 1:25 p.m., surveillance officers observed Sadang arrive at the Post Office in a white flatbed truck bearing Koror license plate 24478. He collected the parcel at the customer service counter before being escorted by Customs Investigator Aquino to the Customs K-9 Office in Malakal, where he was advised of his constitutional rights.
According to court documents, Sadang voluntarily told investigators that a Chinese acquaintance known as “Jack,” whom he met about a year earlier through Jason Aderiano, contacted him through WhatsApp around April 27, 2026. Sadang said Jack informed him that a parcel would be mailed in his name and instructed him to retrieve it from the Post Office upon arrival.
Sadang admitted retrieving the package and said he intended to wait for further instructions from Jack regarding where to deliver it. He also told investigators Jack informed him that two additional parcels would later be sent for him to collect.
A forensic examination of Sadang’s mobile phone allegedly revealed repeated visits to the USPS tracking website between May 7 and May 13, along with screenshots of tracking information and photographs of the parcel. Investigators say the evidence indicates Sadang closely monitored the shipment before and after it arrived in Palau.
On May 15, investigators executed search warrants on Sadang’s phone, his residence in Kesebelau, Airai, and his wife’s vehicle. The phone was seized for forensic analysis by Detective June Ultirakl.
During the search of the residence, officers reported finding drug paraphernalia inside a gray pouch stored in a living room cabinet. Investigators also searched the vehicle Sadang drove to the Post Office, which is registered to his employer, Bel Pacific. Inside a Pelican case, officers found a glass smoking pipe wrapped in a napkin and stored inside a sunglasses pouch. Court documents state Sadang acknowledged ownership of the Pelican case.
Under Palau law, attempted importation of a controlled substance is punishable by a prison sentence of 25 to 50 years and a fine ranging from $50,000 to $1 million.
Sadang’s case, Criminal Case No. 26-050, remains pending before the Trial Division of the Supreme Court.
