State bans four from entering Kalihi home

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Four people have been banned from a Kalihi home that the state said was a center of drug activity for years.

Circuit Court Judge Eden E. Hifo recently signed the order that bans brothers Ryan and Ansen Ancheta, their cousin, Warren Ancheta, and Ryan's girlfriend, Easter Areola, from living at, visiting or even entering the home at 1949 Stanley St.

If they ever return to the home, the four would face misdemeanor charges, which carry a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison or both, according to Deputy Attorney General Mark Miyahira.

A second case is pending against two men over an alleged drug house in Wahiawa, and other such cases are being investigated, Miyahira said.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of drug houses throughout the state, and we are working diligently to shut them down," Miyahira said.

The Stanley Street home is owned by John S. Ancheta, a convicted drug dealer now serving a prison sentence in Oklahoma, according to the state's court document.

The state said the home has been a hub of drug activity since February 1994. The effects have spilled over into the surrounding neighborhood in the working-class area just a few blocks from the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, making victims of nearby residents. Many of them are immigrants struggling to get by, and they put up with the loitering, drug dealing and fear because they have no other choice, officials said.

Ancheta's sons, who were raised in the home, took over the drug business when he was convicted, the state said in its complaint filed in September 2003.

The state's lawsuit was the first action taken by the Nuisance Abatement Unit since its creation last July. The unit has the authority to seek out drug houses and take legal action against their owners or residents.

The intent is to clean out criminal activity in neighborhoods and is part of the state's war against drugs, particularly crystal meth-amphetamine, or ice.

The property was not confiscated, and Areola's parents were allowed to continue living there because they were not involved in the drug dealing, Miyahira said.

He said enforcing the ban is dependent on the neighbors wanting to keep their community drug free.

"Once the house is clean, the community wants to keep it clean," he said. "Hopefully, the neighbors will inform us if and when they go back to the house. We can prosecute them for contempt of court. It is really community-based enforcement."

Attorney General Mark Bennett said he is satisfied with the success of the nuisance abatement law.

Bennett said this action should serve as a warning to drug dealers that they will be evicted and as encouragement to law-abiding neighbors suffering the effects of drug houses.

"If there is a drug house in your neighborhood, call the Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit," Bennett said.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.