Overview:
A government employee has been charged with felony meth possession after police allegedly discovered drugs and paraphernalia inside a government-issued vehicle during a disturbance investigation in Meyuns, Koror.
Police allege suspect admitted pipe and methamphetamine were his after officers discovered drug residue during arrest in Meyuns.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Attorney General has charged Wiseman Kumaichi with possession of a controlled substance after police allegedly discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside a government-issued vehicle during an incident in Meyuns, Koror.
According to a police affidavit, officers responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex in Meyuns in March 2026 after reports that Kumaichi was causing a disruption. Police said Kumaichi later returned to the property the same day and allegedly attempted to coerce the landlord into changing the terms of his apartment lease.
When officers arrived, they observed Kumaichi driving a white Toyota Alphard van bearing government license plates and assigned to him for official government use. Police reported that Kumaichi was operating the vehicle aggressively, prompting responding officers to place him under arrest.
According to the affidavit, a police lieutenant who later repositioned the government vehicle observed a glass pipe containing crystalline residue in plain view between the driver’s and passenger’s seats. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered additional drug paraphernalia, including cut plastic straws.
Police said a field test conducted on the residue found in the glass pipe returned a positive result for methamphetamine. Authorities reported that the pipe contained approximately 0.05 grams of methamphetamine.
Investigators stated that Kumaichi allegedly admitted the pipe and methamphetamine belonged to him and were intended for his personal use. However, police said he also claimed that his girlfriend had placed the items inside the vehicle.
Kumaichi has been charged with one count of Possession of Less Than One Gram of a Controlled Substance, a felony offense under Palau law.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than $10,000.
His cash bail has been set at $25K and he is currently in custody.