Authorities untangle
Kona-based ‘ice’ ring
KAILUA-KONA >> Federal and state officials have dismantled a Kona-based smuggling operation that was bringing 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to the island per month, police announced.
The monthly wholesale value of the drugs was at least $400,000, said police Capt. Samuel Thomas.
Four men were arrested Saturday through Monday, and a fifth is being sought on the island, Thomas said.
The four were arraigned in federal court earlier this week on charges of possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. They could receive mandatory sentences of 10 years to life, police said.
Those charged were Jose Mejia, 56, described as the head of the organization; Eric Mejia, 24; Eduardo Peralta, 32; and Jose Prieto, 34. They were described as part of a "large Mexican drug-trafficking organization based in Kona," but police did not say whether all of them are Mexican citizens.
The organization brought the drug from California and distributed it throughout the Big Island, police said.
Its value is based on an estimated price of $20,000 per pound, Thomas said. The drug is broken down into small amounts and sold on the street in quantities as small as a fraction of a gram, he said. There are 454 grams in a pound.
Officials began the sweep Saturday with the arrest of Prieto, they said. He was found in possession of 340 grams.
On Sunday, search warrants were executed at two Kona homes and a business called Tacos El Unico, and the two Mejias were arrested. Peralta was arrested Monday in Hilo.
Besides the drug, officials seized more than $35,000 in cash, plus several vehicles and firearms, they said.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was the lead agency in the three-month investigation.
Besides DEA agents, county police involved included officers from the Hilo Vice Section, the Ice Task Force, South Kohala patrol, and the Criminal Intelligence Unit.
