By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Two and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine was
found at the airport in plastic bags in a laundry detergent box,
which was wrapped as a gift in an Oregon man's carry-on luggage.

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Oregon man busted
for smuggling ‘ice’

As a result, authorities will
increase security and random
searches at Honolulu airport

By Jaymes Song
Star-Bulletin

Police and federal agents say they will increase security and random searches at Honolulu Airport after the arrest there of an Oregon man who allegedly was carrying more than 2-1/2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

Eli Van Tessler, 23, of Salem, was arrested Tuesday with a reported 1,200 grams of crystal meth in his carry-on luggage.

Police put the street value of the drug at about $150,000 to $200,000.

The arrest was one of the first cases in Hawaii in which a person attempted to smuggle in the drug, also known as "ice," instead of the unfinished powder.

"Normally we find drug traffickers smuggling in methamphetamines," said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Sidney Hayakawa.

"In this situation, he smuggled in crystal methamphetamines -- ice -- in its final form. We feel that he was trying to establish a market here."

Tessler was apprehended by an undercover officer minutes after getting off a plane from Los Angeles.

"What drew the attention of the detective was that he had a large overcoat on, and it was such a warm day," said Honolulu Police Capt. Alvin Nishimura, head of the Narcotics/Vice Division. "He had a gift that was not marked to anybody. He seemed very nervous."

When agents unwrapped the gift box, they found a Tide laundry detergent box stuffed with a freezer bag full of crystal methamphetamine.

Officials believe Tessler passed the box through the X-ray machines at Los Angeles International Airport. However, security at the airport is focused on searching for weapons and metal objects rather than drugs and money, police said.

"We have been observing a lot of illicit drugs coming through the airport either by carry-on bags, hidden on their bodies or by parcels," Nishimura said.

"This is a major concern to us, especially in Hawaii where there is a crystal methamphetamine problem here, and we are going to step up enforcement at the airport."

In addition to more agents and officers, the police department is looking at bringing the K-9 unit, which specializes in narcotics, up to full time at the airport. Currently, dogs from the U.S. Customs Service and police Special Services Division are being used.

The DEA said Tessler is on probation for an "accessory to murder" conviction in Los Angeles.

Agents would not disclose further information about the case.

Tessler yesterday was charged with possession with the intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine and would serve from 10 years to life in prison if convicted.