LIHU‘E — After a nearly three-year Kaua‘i Police Department investigation, two local men were arrested on suspicion of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Rolando Alegado Agustin, 40, and Michael Glenn Sullivan, 38, both of Lihu‘e, were arrested the morning
LIHU‘E — After a nearly three-year Kaua‘i Police Department investigation, two local men were arrested on suspicion of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
Rolando Alegado Agustin, 40, and Michael Glenn Sullivan, 38, both of Lihu‘e, were arrested the morning of April 6 and released pending further investigation, according to KPD Lt. Eric Shibuya of the Narcotics/Vice Section.
Agustin works for The Gas Company and Sullivan works for Young Brothers, said Shibuya. The two men were allegedly using their employment as means to accomplish the movement of drugs and money between islands and around this island, he said.
The investigation revealed the two men — who are innocent until proven guilty — were allegedly receiving cocaine being shipped to and from O‘ahu on Young Brothers vessels at least once a week for several years.
“During the arrests of the suspects, 203.5 grams of cocaine and $1,144 in cash was recovered,” said Shibuya.
If cocaine sells for $100 a gram, the street value of the seized cocaine is over $20,000.
Both Agustin and Sullivan were arrested and charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $50,000.
Stephanie Ackerman, spokeswoman for The Gas Company, declined to comment on the matter, saying it is the subject of a police investigation. She did say company officials are cooperating fully with authorities, and the company has a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and drug use.
Efforts to reach a Young Brothers spokesperson were unsuccessful by press time Wednesday.
Early reports were that federal authorities were involved in the investigation, though a Drug Enforcement Administration spokesperson in Los Angeles said the bust was not one of their operations.
Since none of the illegal activity appears to have taken place on state Department of Transportation Harbors Division property, there was no state-government involvement in the investigation, said Tammy Mori, DOT spokeswoman.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
