Saipan, CNMI — With no flights coming from China, illegal drugs coming into the Northern Marianas are being smuggled via post from the US mainland.

In September and October more than 400 grams of crystal meth with a combined street value of US$182,700 have been seized from the post office.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas' Division of Customs said that cocaine and LSD were among the other illicit drugs being imported via mail and packages from the US mainland.

Customs has intercepted 1,072.71 grams of meth, or "ice", worth US$643,626, and seized 1,492 grams of marijuana this year.

Before covid-19 essentially grounded most internatoinal flights, illicit drugs in the CNMI used to be smuggled from China.

The Department of Finance has reported the street value of ice in the CNMI has gone up because of the lack of access to illegal drugs from China.

Aside from illegal drugs, Customs has also seized counterfeit items like fake Gucci, Nike, and other faked brand name products at the seaport and airport.

The recent seizure of 239.5 grams of ice at the post office from one package is the biggest seizure so far.