SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang said Wednesday he will direct the Office of the Attorney General to investigate reports that some businesses are buying bagged ice and reselling individual cups for $4 each in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Apatang issued the warning in response to a question at the joint federal-territorial press briefing held at the Survivor Recovery Center opening Wednesday morning.
“That’s the price gouging responsibility, and the AG should look into that issue,” Apatang said. “I put out advice to the public right after the typhoon about price gouging. That’s illegal. That’s against the law.”
The governor said he was warning businesses engaged in such practices to stop.
“This business needs to adhere to those things. Don’t cheat our people. Don’t take advantage of this disaster,” Apatang said. “I’m warning them. If you’re doing that, you need to stop it. I’m going to have the AG look into your business.”
Apatang noted that ice has become a high-demand recovery commodity as residents continue to navigate intermittent power restoration. The governor thanked Saipan Ice and other suppliers working to keep ice available to the public.
The CNMI’s price gouging law makes it illegal for businesses to charge unconscionable prices for goods or services during a state of emergency. The governor declared a state of emergency in connection with Super Typhoon Sinlaku ahead of the storm’s arrival in April.
Residents who witness suspected price gouging can report it to the Office of the Attorney General.
