Updated at 4:53 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2007
Drug ring allegedly moved $1.2 million in meth a month
Advertiser Staff
An international drug-smuggling ring responsible for shipping more than $1.2 million dollars worth of crystal methamphetamine a month from the Philippines and California to the island of Kaua'i has been dismantled by state, county and federal law enforcement officials.A dozen people accused of distributing more than 40 pounds of "ice" each month were arrested in coordinated raids on O'ahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kaua'i, and Sacramento, Calif., on Wednesday.
The Kaua'i cartel shipped crystal methamphetamine from the Philippines through the U.S. mail and with human couriers who taped the drugs to the inside of their thighs and boarded commercial flights bound for O'ahu, officials said.
Another segment of the group carried "ice" into the state from Sacramento.
All are charged with conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine and face mandatory sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years with maximum penalties of life in prison.
"Anyone who dares to import drugs into this state, or to distribute this poison to our citizens will have a day of reckoning," said U.S. attorney Ed Kubo at a news conference this afternoon.
On Wednesday, law enforcement officers seized six pounds of ice, currency, four firearms, and an undisclosed amount of property.
