American Politician Faces 15 Years Behind Bars For Running Violent Meth Trafficking Gang

An American politician has pleaded guilty to running a violent drug-trafficking organisation that shipped meth from the US mainland to Hawaii.

Arthur Brun, a former Kauai County councilman, told a judge via video-link from the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, Hawaii, where he is currently being held, that he is guilty of running a drug trafficking gang, according to local media outlet the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (11th November).

He initially pleaded innocent, but yesterday, 10th November, during a hearing, he reportedly changed his plea and said: “I got no excuse. I take full responsibility for it. I’m guilty of all charges, your honour.”

Former Kauai County Council member Arthur Brun who admitted to leading a drug-trafficking organization between 2019 and 2020. (Kauai Police Department/Newsflash)

The former councilman of Kauai County in the US state of Hawaii is accused of conspiring with the leader of a gang, distributing “substantial amounts” of meth throughout Kauai, requesting sexual favours in exchange for drugs, supplying guns, and assaulting a police officer.

He ran successfully for office in 2016 and 2018 and the crimes allegedly occurred between June 2019 and January 2020.

Evidence against Brun and against 11 other defendants was extensive, with the prosecutor reportedly presenting wiretaps and testimony from undercover cops and several witnesses.

Former Kauai County Council member Arthur Brun who admitted to leading a drug-trafficking organization between 2019 and 2020. (Newsflash)

One of the key cases that were cited during the case occurred in October 2019, when Brun allegedly assaulted a police officer while in possession of meth.

Brun was pulled over by a cop while he was allegedly in possession of over 1 lb of meth, but instead of following the officer’s orders, Brun quickly turned the engine back on and drove away, allegedly injuring the cop in the process.

Brun has now reportedly admitted to the crime and said that he tossed the meth from the car window so the police would not discover it.

Former Kauai County Council member Arthur Brun who admitted to leading a drug-trafficking organization. (Newsflash).

He allegedly bought the meth from a supplier on the US mainland in California who would ship or mail packages of the drug to Hawaii.

According to the prosecutor, the drug was then distributed across the island by Brun and the other suspects.

He also reportedly admitted to trying to purchase a firearm and ammunition on behalf of a convicted felon.

Former Kauai County Council member Arthur Brun (center) who admitted to leading a drug-trafficking organization between 2019 and 2020. (Newsflash)

Rustam Barbee, Brun’s defence attorney, said that his client was addicted to meth and that “good people sometimes make bad mistakes. Arthur Brun for most of his life has been a good person.”

Brun is scheduled to be sentenced in March and he and prosecutors have agreed on a 15-year jail sentence, but the final decision on the length of the sentence is in the hands of the judge.