By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — A Palauan man is facing multiple felony charges after law enforcement officers discovered over 11 grams of methamphetamine and related paraphernalia in a vehicle linked to him.
On June 20, 2025, officers from the Division of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Narcotics Enforcement Unit, executed a search warrant on a Nissan Murano bearing Airai State plate #5174, reportedly connected to Kloulubak Clifford Debedebek.
Authorities found a small pouch inside the vehicle containing a glass smoking pipe, two small Ziploc bags filled with crystalline substances, four clear straws—two with a blue stripe—and a surgical scissor. They also recovered a Band-Aid box containing additional small Ziploc bags, more straws, another smoking pipe, and another surgical scissor.
The crystalline substance was later confirmed to weigh 11.18 grams and tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, according to law enforcement reports.
Court documents reveal that Debedebek allegedly placed the pouch inside the Nissan Murano on June 18, 2025, while en route to the police station.
Given the quantity of the substance found—significantly more than typical street-level amounts—Debedebek has been charged with two felonies: trafficking a controlled substance, which carries a penalty of 25 to 50 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million; and possession of a controlled substance, punishable by 15 to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.
The arrest highlights Palau’s continued efforts to combat the nation’s drug problem.