Updated at 7:08 a.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Meth case leads to 10-year term for Big Isle rancher
Associated Press
Big Island cattle rancher Audwin Aiwohi was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and money laundering.In addition, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright on Friday ordered forfeiture of a settlement payment of $700,000.
Aiwohi, 43, was part of a conspiracy that transported more than 83 pounds of meth from California over a three-year period ending in 2005, federal prosecutors said.
The drug was shipped from the Mainland to Hawai'i in cattle containers, which were then used to transport cash from drug sales back to the Mainland, they said.
Each shipment ranged from between about 10 pounds and 30 pounds.
Federal officials said the investigation led to the seizure of 7.5 pounds of meth, $192,000 in cash, 17 firearms and 839 rounds of ammunition.
