In a statement by Acting U.S. Attorney Judith A. Phillips, law enforcement authorities recovered nearly 4,600 grams of methamphetamine in two mail parcels addressed to a Mountain View post office box on May 4, 2021. The area I Vice Officers later obtained a search warrant for Tai’s residence where they recovered an additional 240 grams of methamphetamine, over 2,600 rounds of ammunition, more than $100,000.00 in U.S. currency, 309 individual marijuana electronic cigarette cartridges, a bump-stock device, a semi-automatic handgun, and five “ghost guns,” which are unserialized firearms sold as kits and assembled by the purchaser, including three AR-15 type rifles and two Glock-type handguns. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawai‘i, has since adopted prosecution of the case from Hawai‘i County law enforcement.

As the federal Complaint alleges, Tai is charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking and Possessing a Semi-Automatic Handgun during and in relation to Methamphetamine Trafficking. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield ordered Tai detained pending a detention hearing on May 20, 2021.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“Our Office will continue to promote and encourage coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable for the distribution of illegal narcotics such as methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl in our community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information concerning illegal narcotics distribution should call the Hawai‘i Police Department Vice Unit in East Hawai‘i at (808) 961-2258 or in West Hawai‘i at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 226, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.