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Former Guam Police Officer Sentenced to 15 Months for Drug Trafficking

Brian Dacanay Awa, 47, was sentenced on August 25, 2026, for two counts of methamphetamine distribution, as announced on August 26, 2026.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 26, 2026, 5:54 a.m. ET
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We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 26, 2026, 6:08 a.m. ET — checked 1h ago.

A former Guam Police Department K9 officer was to 15 months in federal prison for drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which announced the sentence on August 26, 2026. Brian Dacanay Awa, 47, was on August 25, 2026, in the U.S. District Court of Guam for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The court also ordered three years of supervised release and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. Federal authorities identified Awa as a participant in methamphetamine distribution in Guam through informants and investigative leads. A confidential informant reported prior drug purchases from Awa and agreed to participate in controlled operations. On June 24, 2024, under law enforcement supervision, the informant met Awa at a Dededo store, where Awa provided a cigarette pack containing 3.76 grams of methamphetamine with 100% purity. The transaction was recorded on video. A second controlled buy occurred on July 3, 2024, at another location in Dededo, where Awa produced a red cigarette pack containing 28.1 grams of methamphetamine with 100% purity. “Law enforcement is entrusted with keeping our communities safe and drug-free,” stated United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson. “I applaud the work of federal agents, in addition to GPD-SIS, in bringing Awa to justice. We will continue to promote accountability in law enforcement at every opportunity.” “Brian Awa abused his position as a law enforcement officer and violated the public trust by trafficking methamphetamine into Guam,” said HSI Honolulu Acting Special Agent in Charge CJ Ammons. “HSI is committed to working with our federal and local partners to stop drug traffickers, protect our communities, and hold accountable those who exploit positions of public trust.” The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations–Guam Field Office, with the coordinated assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Guam Police Department Special Investigation Section. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg prosecuted the case.

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