Hip-hopper is accused in drug sting
Cash found among his belongings is found to have traces of narcotics on it
Local recording artist Aziel Al Toeaina is accused of distributing eight ounces of crystal methamphetamine, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Toeaina, who has a 1998 felony drug conviction, was arrested Dec. 19 at a Salt Lake apartment where agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration seized $29,960 cash in three unwrapped packages of Hawaiian Host chocolates, according to court records.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi ordered Toeaina, also known as "Zee," detained without bail Friday. Toeaina is due back in court on Monday for a preliminary hearing.
The packages were in a Longs shopping bag sitting next to a camouflage bag that Toeaina admitted was his. A narcotics dog sniffed the presence of illegal narcotics on the currency, court documents said.
Federal agents arrested an unidentified individual with two ounces of crystal methamphetamine on Dec. 19 during a drug bust in Honolulu, according to court documents.
The individual told authorities that the source of the drugs was "Aziel" who flew recently from San Francisco to Honolulu.
The source, who was not identified, indicated he or she had met with Toeaina at the Maile Sky Court on Kuhio Avenue on Dec. 15 when Toeaina was given $6,000 as a down payment for the purchase of about eight ounces of crystal methamphetamine.
The informant was allegedly given the drugs the next day at the hotel. On the 17th, Toeaina was paid more than $9,000 as additional partial payment for the eight ounces, court documents said.
The informant called Toeaina on Dec. 19 and informed him that they "got your stuff" -- meaning more drug proceeds -- and asked Toeaina if he had any more drugs, according to court documents. Toeaina allegedly indicated he had and that he was at a Likini Street apartment where he was later found.
Toeaina, known for his Polynesian-American "urban" music, was the 2006 Hawaii Music Awards winner in the R&B category with his hip-hop album, "The3LOGY."
The singer, 29, was indicted on state charges in June 2003 for firing shots at former University of Hawaii football player Tupu Alualu in the parking lot at Ala Moana Center. He went to trial twice and was acquitted in December 2006 of all charges, including second-degree attempted murder.