Posted on: Saturday, April 14, 2001

Man sentenced to eight years in 'A'ala Park drug case

Advertiser Staff

A 48-year-old man was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison yesterday on federal drug charges for distributing and possessing crack cocaine in 'A'ala Park.

Iupeli Migi was one of more than 30 people arrested during a 1999 Memorial Day Weekend sweep within the federal-state Chinatown and downtown Honolulu "weed-and-seed" site, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra sentenced Migi to a term of 95 months. Migi was convicted by a jury on six counts of distribution and possession under a federal statute imposing stricter penalties for drug offenses committed near areas frequented by children such as playgrounds and schools.

Migi had prior state court convictions for assault and drug offenses in the Chinatown area, prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Steven Alm noted that 'A'ala Park is being redesigned with an eye toward discouraging criminal activity and encouraging legitimate use.

Alm said the District 1 Crime Reduction Unit has put forth an "absolutely tremendous effort" in executing dozens of successful undercover operations targeting drug possession and distribution.

"Community leaders, businessmen, residents and senior citizens have all taken notice of the decrease in drug offenses and crime in general in the Downtown-Chinatown area," Alm said.