CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
FBI spokeswoman Pamela A. McCullough showed the
fake deputy sheriff's badge that was confiscated in drug
raids over the weekend. Also on display yesterday at the
local FBI offices were some of the drugs, guns,
bullets and knives that were seized.

Drug raids snare
‘ice,’ guns, knives
and 10 suspects

---

By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

A fake state deputy sheriff's badge and a stun gun were among the items federal and county law enforcement officials seized over the weekend in raids on a Honolulu drug ring.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI and Honolulu police also seized five pounds of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," a pound of cocaine, $17,000 cash and an assortment of weapons.

Authorities arrested 10 people in the raids.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court accused Marissa Pizarro, 24; Eti Maumea, 47; Gordon Hill, 36; Sinapati Saitaua, 41; Gordon Wat, 32; Darryl Maeoka, 52; Richard Fujita, 41; Jessie Matsueda, 36; Von Nelson, 40; and Jessica Travis, 19, with possession of ice with the intent to distribute the drug.

"They're best described as a loose coalition of friends," said Pamela McCullough, FBI spokeswoman.

"What happens is, groups of friends get together, and they think they can make a deal or make something good. They get together and try to make it work. And then if it works, then they go their separate ways, usually till the next thing comes along," said McCullough.

The FBI said the drugs are believed to have originated on the West Coast.

Officials seized four handguns, two rifles and a sawed-off shotgun. McCullough said most of the firearms were loaded. They also seized three large knives.