Former Guam Police Officer Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Firearms
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Jose Pablo Ananich, age 52, from Yigo, Guam was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment. He was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams Methamphetamine, Attempted Possession of Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and Carrying of Firearms During the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release following imprisonment and a mandatory $300.00 special assessment fee. Ananich was also ordered to forfeit $146,728.00 in currency, 12 firearms, and 5,918 rounds of ammunition. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
From January 2020 to June 2021, Ananich agreed with Andrew Philip Manibusan (“Manibusan”), and James Bernard Ada Mafnas (“Mafnas”), to distribute methamphetamine in Guam. Ananich communicated with Manibusan, then located in Antioch, California, to mail the drugs to Guam. Mafnas received the packages in Guam and delivered them to Ananich.
Ananich and Mafnas purchased over $51,000 in postal money orders and cashier checks that were made payable to Manibusan to pay for the methamphetamine. Once the drugs arrived in Guam, Ananich distributed the methamphetamine. Ananich and Manibusan planned to use the proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine to start a larger drug distribution enterprise on island.
Law enforcement eventually searched Ananich’s residence and discovered 25 pounds of methamphetamine in his truck. Upon learning that police were conducting the search, Ananich tried to burn an additional 13 pounds in a shipping container on his property.
Ananich was arrested on June 1, 2021. At that time, he possessed $146,728.00 in cash, illegal proceeds from sales of methamphetamine. He also possessed 12 firearms and 5,918 rounds of ammunition. Notably, one of the firearms was affixed to the center console in Ananich’s truck, making it easily accessible.
Co-defendants Mafnas and Manibusan were previously sentenced in September 2022. Mafnas is serving 121 months imprisonment, while Manibusan is serving 168 months imprisonment.
“Ananich flooded our island with methamphetamine,” stated United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson. “His criminal conduct was facilitated by alarming quantities of firearms and ammunition. Law enforcement should be commended for their continuing efforts to promote public safety. This case demonstrates the benefits of working together to combat the drug epidemic in Guam.”
“The sentencing of Ananich highlights the importance of rooting out criminal activity within law enforcement ranks. Such cases not only betray public trust but also undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Tobon. “This case underscores the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law within law enforcement organizations.”
“The selfish actions of former officer Jose Pablo Ananich jeopardized the safety of the community, all in an effort to line his own pockets. These actions grossly violate the oath of a peace officer, and this joint investigation illustrates the collaborative work, alongside our local and federal law enforcement partners, to target and hold drug traffickers accountable who drive addiction and threaten public safety,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Victor J. Vazquez, DEA Honolulu Office. “The DEA is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our communities, and to keeping all Americans safe from illicit narcotics and its accompanying violence."
“This sentencing and others like it are a clear message that postal inspectors will not allow the mail to be used to traffic dangerous controlled substances to Guam or anywhere else in our country,” said USPIS San Francisco Division Inspector-in-Charge Rafael Nuñez. “We owe thanks to the Guam Interdictions Anti-Narcotics Trafficking Task Force (GIANT TF), the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, and our federal law enforcement partners for their dedication to this important work to keep our communities safe.”
“It pains us when a former law enforcement officer betrays the public’s trust by trafficking narcotics and carrying firearms while doing so,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Hopefully Mr. Ananich’s very significant sentence will show the public that ATF and our other law enforcement partners will not back down from investigating anyone who works to harm our communities this way.”
This joint investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers in Honolulu, assistance from the Guam Police Department and Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency. The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
