In a significant step towards making our communities safer, Maliu Tauheluhelu, 40, of Honolulu, has been sentenced to 200 months in prison for his role in a dangerous conspiracy involving methamphetamine distribution and illegal gambling operations.
Tauheluhelu’s conviction came after he pleaded guilty to two serious charges earlier this year, admitting to working with a group of criminals to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine across Hawaii, including to Maui. Between 2020 and 2022, he orchestrated shipments of these deadly drugs, spreading them through various parts of the islands.
But that’s not all. Tauheluhelu and his co-conspirators, including Maafu Pani, Touanga Niu, and Desmond Morris, were also involved in running illegal gambling businesses. Tauheluhelu operated several of these illicit operations, with one located at 980 Queen Street and another “VIP room” at his Staxx Sports Bar & Grill in Waianae.
All of Tauheluhelu’s co-defendants have already been sentenced earlier in 2024 for their involvement in this criminal enterprise. Pani was handed 192 months in prison, Niu received 30 months, and Morris was sentenced to 72 months.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “This sentence shows that trafficking dangerous drugs and running illegal game rooms come with serious consequences. We are dedicated to holding criminal enterprises accountable and protecting our communities from the harm caused by drugs like methamphetamine.”
FBI Honolulu’s Special Agent in Charge, David Porter, stressed the importance of teamwork in this case, noting that this operation was the result of years of collaboration among law enforcement agencies. He promised that the FBI would continue using all available resources to dismantle criminal organizations and protect communities.
Maui’s Chief of Police, John Pelletier, echoed that message, making it clear that criminal enterprises need to think twice. “There is zero tolerance for such actions,” he said, expressing gratitude to the many agencies involved in bringing this operation to a successful conclusion.
This case was part of an ongoing effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative designed to take down the highest-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations. With a focus on intelligence-driven operations, OCDETF taps into the combined strength of federal, state, and local law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle dangerous criminal networks.
Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, Maui Police, and other law enforcement partners, the streets are a little bit safer. This success is a reminder that when we work together, we can make a real difference in the fight against crime.
