Two East Hawaii men accused by federal authorities of illegally importing fireworks into Hawaii from the mainland U.S. and distributing them are due in court Monday in Honolulu.
Darrel Goo, 52, of Keaau and Cy Tamura, 45, of Hilo have a 10:30 a.m. preliminary hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield. The prelim originally was scheduled for Jan. 20.
Neither defendant entered a plea at their initial court appearance on Dec. 30. Both remain free on $50,000 bail.
According to a federal complaint, the combined weight of fireworks seized after search warrants were served on Goo’s and Tamura’s residences exceeded 18.5 tons. Authorities also allege the pair illegally brought fireworks into the state for distribution since at least 2017.
Last year, law enforcement personnel engaged in undercover surveillance of Goo’s and Tamura’s alleged operation and covertly seized approximately two shipping containers of fireworks before they were shipped to Hawaii.
During an interview with law enforcement on Aug. 13 — the date the federal search warrant was executed — Goo allegedly explained that Tamura was the shipper on the manifests, because Goo did not want his name tied to the shipments.
Tamura also helped Goo unload the fireworks once they arrived at the Port of Hilo, the complaint states. He reportedly told authorities his fireworks sales season ran from October through December, and he had a network of people who helped him sell the fireworks and were paid between $20 and $50 per piece sold.
At Goo’s residence, law enforcement seized documents, digital devices, a Ruger model 22/45 Lite .22 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer P322 .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus model 605 .357 caliber revolver, and an unserialized 9 mm caliber sidearm, according to the complaint.
Also reportedly confiscated were 2,700 rounds of ammunition, about $8,909 in cash, 36 M-type explosive devices — which include M-80s and M-100s — and 33 pallets of various fireworks.
At Tamura’s residence on Aug. 13, law enforcement seized documents and records, digital devices, over $40,000 in cash, and three pallets of fireworks, the complaint states.
Both men are charged with conspiracy; transporting fireworks into Hawaii; and engaging in the business of and transporting, distributing and storing explosive materials.
Goo also is charged with shipping, transporting, receiving (and/or) possessing any explosive via interstate commerce; and being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Most of the pyrotechnics allegedly were purchased from an unnamed business in Prescott, Wis. — a city at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers with multiple fireworks companies, according to the complaint.
In 1996, Goo was convicted and sentenced in state court to five years of imprisonment for auto theft and second-degree theft, both Class C felonies, and couldn’t legally possess or own firearms or ammunition.
If convicted as charged, Goo and Tamura face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to $250,000 per count, and Goo faces an additional 15 years of imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Email John Burnett at john.burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.