A Hilo resident, Eddie P. Poai, 50, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes. The plea was entered a day before his scheduled federal jury trial. Sentencing is set for April 20, 2026, before United States District Judge Shanlyn A. S. Park.
According to court records, Poai, who has previous felony convictions, was charged in connection with three separate incidents on Hawaii Island between February 2021 and October 2022. On February 11, 2021, officers from the Hawaii Police Department found over 90 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine in Poai’s truck after he left the scene of a traffic stop.
On June 9, 2022, police searched for Poai at a property in the Maku’u area after prior attempted contacts resulted in him fleeing. Officers discovered more than 600 grams of methamphetamine at the location along with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, several thousand dollars in cash, and several weapons including a loaded Springfield .45 caliber pistol and an AR-15-style rifle.
On October 25, 2022, police located Poai near Hawaiian Acres. After a foot chase and arresting him, officers found a loaded 9mm Taurus pistol and more than 11 grams of methamphetamine in his backpack; he also had several thousand dollars on his person.
Poai faces up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years if convicted on all counts. He may also be subject to supervised release for life and fined up to $10 million.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Hawaii Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeannette Graviss and Jonathan Slack are prosecuting the case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime," according to United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.
