Jury convicts leader of drug ring

A Las Vegas man who headed a drug trafficking ring that shipped thousands of pounds of methamphetamine to Hawaii was convicted yesterday by a federal court jury in Honolulu.

Nelson Gaitan-Ayala was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that shipped methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Hawaii between 2005 and 2007, said U.S. Attorney in Hawaii Ed Kubo in a news release.

When sentenced on March 16, Gaitan-Ayala faces a possible life sentence with a mandatory minimum of 10 years. He also faces deportation.

In the three-year federal probe, 15 people were prosecuted and convicted of federal drug offenses. One of those was Honolulu resident Raychel Cabral, 28, who was sentenced in June to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Gaitan-Ayala has been convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and using a cell phone to assist in the distribution of drugs.

Group wants to up bottom-fish ante

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council wants to allow more bottom fish to be caught in the main Hawaiian islands.

It is recommending a total allowable catch of 241,000 pounds of seven deep-water bottom fish when the fishery reopens Nov. 15. That represents a 35 percent increase from the 2007 total allowable catch of 178,000 pounds. The council says overfishing is not occurring as previously thought.

The allowable catch will be based on commercial catches only.

However, noncommercial bottom-fish fishermen will be required for the first time to obtain a permit and report catches if fishing in federal waters, from three to 200 miles offshore.

The council's recommendation will be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for approval.

Quake-related bridge fixes begin

Design work for repairs of two earthquake-damaged bridges in the Paauilo area on the Big Island is beginning.

The Hawaii County Department of Public Works says work will specify how stone embankments on the Waipunahinae and Opihilala Gulch bridges will be rebuilt.

The spans collapsed during a quake that struck the Big Island on Oct. 15, 2006.

The design and construction will cost the county a minimum of $639,000, of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse 75 percent.

The department also is soliciting offers to repair embankments, guardrails and shoulders on Mamalahoa Highway and Napoopoo Road.

The two projects will cost up to $500,000 each, with the Federal Highway Administration reimbursing 80 percent.

Complex offers seniors seminar

A free seminar about living options for seniors will be offered at 10 a.m. today at the sales office at 15 Craigside Place in Nuuanu.

Craigside Place will be a $90 million, 170-apartment senior community, with the first residents expected to move in early in 2010. The site is being prepared for construction.

Those wishing to attend the seminar are asked to call 754-5410 two days before each date because seating is limited.