Posted at 3:50 p.m., Friday, June 15, 2007
Woman forfeits $1 million from illegal drug deals
Advertiser Staff
An Australian woman is facing a mandatory 10-year federal prison sentence for charges related to methamphetamine smuggling from California to Hawai'i.Ai Hang Thi Hyde, also known as Kim Hyde, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to drug conspiracy, money laundering and forfeiture charges, a news release said.
U.S. Attorney for Hawai'i Ed Kubo said Hyde arranged for others to receive parcels containing crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," which was to be distributed here.
Hyde also traveled to the Mainland to deliver money to obtain pounds of ice, and admitted she has had "many pounds" of the drug sent for distribution here, Kubo said in the release.
She will forfeit more than $1 million in drug proceeds that were found in her business bank accounts, and is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 15.
Hyde's co-defendant, Ryan Yukio Shinjo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering charges in May, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1.
