HONOLULU, Hawaii – A Waianae man has been handed a 25-year prison sentence for his role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation.
Brandan Grilho, 37, was sentenced in federal court by United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson to 20 years imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This sentence will be served consecutively with an additional five years imprisonment for possession of a firearm in connection with his drug trafficking, as well as five years on supervised release.
Grilho has been detained since his arrest on August 12, 2020. Court records show that he led a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Waianae from December 2019 to April 2020.
During the conspiracy, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) used a confidential informant and an undercover officer to make five controlled purchases of methamphetamine in amounts ranging from one to three ounces from the conspirators.
On April 29, 2020, DEA and HPD executed search warrants at two Waianae residences used by conspirators, seizing methamphetamine, two firearms, more than 300 rounds of ammunition, approximately $6,500 cash, and items that subsequently led to the seizure of approximately $10,000 cash from a safety deposit box. The evidence presented by the government showed that Grilho distributed at least 120 pounds of methamphetamine during the two years prior to the execution of the search warrants.
Co-defendants Kanio Aipolanikaaihue and Jaime Wallace were previously sentenced to 57 months imprisonment plus three years supervised release on October 21, 2021, and December 7, 2021, respectively. Leslie Reyes-Grilho is scheduled for sentencing on April 19, 2022.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan is prosecuting the case, which was the result of an investigation by the DEA and HPD with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Brandan Grilho’s case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of methamphetamine trafficking on local communities. The severe sentence handed down by the court is a testament to the seriousness with which these crimes are taken.
The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Hawaii
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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