Posted on: Tuesday, May 4, 2004

Maui man pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Maui man could get 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court yesterday to conspiring to launder profits made from drug trafficking.

Federal officials believe Michael Ritter, 55, helped smuggle tons of marijuana into the United States from Thailand. They believe Ritter made at least $2.5 million and deposited it into accounts in Hong Kong and the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea.

Edward Kubo Jr., U.S. attorney for Hawai'i, said Ritter agreed to immediately forfeit $1 million in cash.

The offense to which Ritter pleaded guilty involved the shipment of 3 tons of marijuana in 1986, which generated about $5.5 million. He also pleaded guilty to filing a 1998 federal tax return that failed to disclose that he owned and controlled foreign bank accounts. He will be sentenced Nov. 1.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Thomas prosecuted the case.