Husband of ex-airline worker admits role in meth distribution
The husband of a former Delta Air Lines employee who admitted using her security credentials to smuggle drug money has also pleaded guilty to his role in a meth trafficking ring that operated between California and Hawaii.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Loo said Falefia Fuamatu pleaded guilty Friday to a conspiracy charge involving distribution and possession of methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16.
According to an indictment, he flew from Honolulu to Los Angeles at least twice to deliver nearly $1 million in drug proceeds.
His wife, Sifatutupu Fuamatu, pleaded guilty last week. She admitted using a swipe card to bypass security to carry the money through Honolulu Airport. She would meet her husband at the gate, and they would fly together.
The government said the Fuamatus were part of an operation that distributed about 400 pounds of methamphetamine from October 2008 to March 2012.
Federal prosecutor Jonathan Loo said the Fuamatus transported $954,000 on Sept. 18, 2011, and $554,000 on Nov. 5, 2011. Loo said Falefia Fuamatu was paid $6,000 per trip for being a money courier.
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Walter Dominguez of California, accused of supplying the methamphetamine, and five others are scheduled to stand trial on conspiracy charges in September.