IN WAKE OF RAIDS, A WARNING

Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna has a message for anyone thinking of taking
over the $1 million - a - week ice operations police busted last week.

"If you want to deal ice, you're going to look at probably federal prison.
And you're going to look at a long stretch," Mahuna said.

That's the reality facing two dozen Big Island men and women. Today they're
in a Honolulu jail on charges that could land each a federal sentence of 10
years to life.

The 24 are among the 57 people indicted last week on charges of importing
and selling crystal methamphetamine. Authorities arrested five of the
individuals in California, Nevada and Arizona as part of "Operation Shave
Ice," which Mahuna said local police started in May 1999.

The suspects allegedly ran five drug rings brought down through the combined
efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

Also seized were $200,000 and 12 firearms.

Mahuna said police may seek the forfeiture of cars and other possessions
once the suspects are convicted.

Using couriers, the U.S. Postal service and private shippers, the Big Island
drug rings each week imported a combined 20 pounds of ice worth about $1.5
million when sold in small amounts on the street, Mahuna said.

He estimated the busts - achieved using the latest in digital wire - tapping
technology - knocked out at least a third of the local ice distribution.

"I'd like to take 100 percent," he said.

Police won't let up pressure on those who sell and use ice, including anyone
thinking of filling the void created by last week's arrests.

"This is just a start," he said. "I hope with the prison terms that these
people are going to get are going to be a deterrent for these (new) people."

Police still have more work to do on the investigation and will be ready for
any new ice dealers, he said.

Mahuna said he expects to receive two more drug - sniffing dogs and handlers
to use in patrolling Big Island airports and shipping companies. Two such
teams are already on the island, he said.

"It's just a crime and a usage that will deteriorate families," he said of
ice use.

"The way I look at this drug, it's a generation killer," he said, estimating
Hawaii's population of special - education children will double or triple in
the next decade due their parents' ice habits.

Mahuna said many Big Island neighborhoods have ice houses, including one
which used to operate near his own home.

He said although it may seem police are slow to act, they don't overlook
tips from neighbors in their pursuit of ending illegal drug activity.

Last week's raids should provide some comfort to those who have aided
police.

"I think it sends a message," Mahuna said. "I hope this is saying to people
that the information that they gather for the police department will not go
unheeded."

The five drug rings shut down by the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area Group dealt in importing of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine from
Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, some on a weekly basis, U.S. Attorney
Edward Kubo Jr. said Friday in Honolulu.

Officials identified the drug rings by the names of their alleged leaders
and activities:

*- The 14 - member Marvin Postadan group brought in 20 to 30 pounds of
cocaine and at least four pounds of ice each month from Los Angeles.

*- The 11 - member William Totten group spent up to $100,000 a week to bring
in 40 pounds of ice a month from Phoenix.

*- The six - member Shame Tom group brought in pounds of ice from Las Vegas.

*- The 14 - member Brandon Chang group and 12 - member Jasen Antonio group
transported ice from Honolulu to the Big Island. Antonio, who goes by the
name "Fluff," is listed as a defendant with two other groups.

Charles Goodwin, special FBI agent in charge in Hawaii, said the five rings
are loosely associated. "They know each other but they're not a formal
organization of five groups."