Overview:
A Palau jury has convicted Burton Wenty on meth possession charges but cleared him of firearm and ammunition offenses in a major criminal case that now raises questions about whether the country’s tougher new anti-drug law could apply at sentencing.
Verdict comes days after Palau enacted tougher anti-meth penalties that could dramatically affect sentencing.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (May 11, 2026) — A jury has convicted Burton Wenty on two felony methamphetamine possession charges while acquitting him on multiple firearm and ammunition counts in a closely watched criminal case that could test the reach of Palau’s newly strengthened anti-drug law.
After nearly three weeks of testimony in the case of the Republic of Palau versus Burton Wenty, jurors on May 11 returned unanimous guilty verdicts on two counts of possession of more than one gram of methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice.”
The jury, however, found Wenty not guilty on nine separate counts involving possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
A court order issued the same day disclosed the verdicts on the controlled substance and firearm-related charges but stated that the remainder of the jury’s verdict would remain sealed.
Wenty was charged with multiple felony offenses in December 2025 after law enforcement officers raided his residence in Ulimang, Ngaraard, on Dec. 11, 2025.
According to police reports, officers seized approximately 113 grams of methamphetamine, a .22-caliber handgun, a magazine loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, and various items described as drug paraphernalia associated with drug use and distribution.
Authorities said Wenty was not at the residence during the raid and was arrested two days later.
Court records show Wenty has prior drug-related convictions. He received a pardon in 2009 but later reoffended and was convicted again in 2021 for possession of a controlled substance.
The case has drawn additional attention because of a tougher illegal drug law signed into law on May 6, 2026 — just days before the jury delivered its verdict.
The amended law significantly increases penalties for possession of methamphetamine and other Schedule I or II narcotics. Under the revised statute, a person convicted of possessing more than one gram of methamphetamine who has a prior conviction for the same offense “shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than thirty-five (35) years” and may face fines ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
The law also states repeat offenders would not be eligible for suspended sentences or parole.
It remains unclear whether Wenty’s case will be sentenced under the previous law or the newly enacted statute with harsher penalties, since the charges stem from conduct that allegedly occurred before the law was signed.
The court has ordered a pre-sentence investigation and report to be filed by June 22, 2026. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2026.
