4 arrested in meth-sale investigation

Three men and a woman were charged Wednesday in federal court after a joint investigation by the FBI and Honolulu police resulted in the recovery of 7 pounds of crystal methamphetamine from a condominium in Waikiki.

Mayday Pakele, Colonel Pakele, Faataoto Mauga and Tapusilia Vaifale were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on Aug. 30 an undercover police officer bought an eighth of an ounce of meth from Colonel Pakele, who said he got his drugs from Mexicans.

On two other occasions, Mayday Pakele sold an ounce or more of meth to an undercover officer near Kahaluu Regional Park. Last month, she and Vaifale sold two ounces of meth for $4,200 to an undercover officer in Salt Lake.

They were arrested about 2 p.m. Tuesday after attempting another sale.

Mauga, who authorities said was to receive the profits from the sale, was arrested at his condo at 343 Hobron Lane, where agents recovered the meth and $70,000 in cash. Colonel Pakele was arrested about 10 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of Temple Valley Shopping Center. All four are being held at the federal detention center, pending a detention hearing Monday.