Matthew Otterson, 35, of Makawao, signed a plea agreement Wednesday before 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August, with Maui prosecutors dismissing three of eight drug charges against him.

In exchange for his plea, he agreed he would provide testimony against co-defendants Patrick Aniban, 43, and Ohia Aniban, 33.

Otterson and the Anibans were arrested on Jan. 19 after Maui police with warrants conducted a search of the Puunene Avenue house in which the Anibans were living. Police reported seizing 18.5 pounds of cocaine, approximately 6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 1 ounce of marijuana and more than $114,000 in cash.

With an estimated street value of more than $1.5 million, police said the seizures were the largest single drug bust in Maui County history.

Most of the drugs were found in a storage room attached to the Anibans' rented garage and in the trunk of a red 1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia parked in the garage and registered to Patrick Aniban.

Otterson was present at the Aniban home when police executed the search warrants in January. A fourth man, Wallace Koga, 57, of Kula, also was present at the house and was charged in the case.

After the initial arrests, charges against Ohia Aniban and Koga were dismissed at a preliminary hearing in Wailuku District Court. But the drug charges against Ohia Aniban were renewed in May when she and Patrick Aniban were indicted by a Maui grand jury.

Prosecutors at the time said additional evidence was acquired for the renewed charges against both Anibans, which include criminal conspiracy, first-degree methamphetamine trafficking, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and additional counts alleging possession or drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Simonds said Otterson testified in grand jury proceedings and participated in briefings on the case.

In response to questions from August, Simonds indicated Otterson has been cooperative and is living up to the requirement that he testify in the proceedings against his co-defendants.

"His statements here have been consistent since his arrest," Simonds said.

Otterson was initially charged with first-degree methamphetamine trafficking, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of prohibitive acts related to drug paraphernalia and second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

On Wednesday, he pleaded no contest to promotion of a dangerous drug in the second-degree, a reduction from the first-degree methamphetamine charge. The first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug charge was also reduced to second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.

The charge of first-degree methamphetamine trafficking carries a mandatory 20-year prison term, with a minimum of two to eight years before being eligible for parole. Conviction of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug carries a possible 10-year prison term.

Otterson also pleaded no contest to two counts of prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia and promotion of a dangerous drug in the third-degree.

Sentencing for Otterson was set for Sept. 5, with the understanding that the date may change if the proceedings against the Anibans have not been completed.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Otterson could be sentenced to extended prison terms totaling 70 years plus $80,000 in fines. Prosecutors made no deal on what they will recommend for sentencing.

Otterson remains free on $150,000 bail.