New details in the major marijuana bust on the Big Island.
Federal officials say nearly five million dollars' worth of marijuana plants were seized.
Federal officials believe this bust will have a huge impact on the state's marijuana supply.
Fourteen Big Island residents, ages 28 to 61, made their first appearance in federal court Friday morning, in connection with the state's largest marijuana bust since 2007.
"During this investigation, there was approximately 3,000 marijuana plants seized, nine weapons, 33 pounds of processed marijuana, approximately $30,000 in cash and as we stated before four real properties," said Robin Dinlocker with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to court documents, which were unsealed Monday, the defendants conspired to manufacture, distribute and posess with intent to distribute 100 or more marijuana plants.
And that the alleged ringleader is defendant Roger Christie.
"He was operating his marijuana trafficking operation out of the the ministry," said United States Attorney Florence Nakakuni.
Christie claims a state license to be a wedding minister is his license to provide the drug.
"There is a state medical marijuana law, there is no law that protects his allegations of using marijuana religiously," said Nakakuni.
THC Ministry boasts it has more than 60,000 members.
Ministry members could get marijuana for a suggested donation of $400 per ounce.
Officials say the plants were being grown both indoors and outdoors on the Big Island.
"Obviously we think this case has a far reaching impact," said Nakakuni.
"I think it will be perhaps statewide we are definitely going to see an impact on the big island itself," said Dinlocker.
The last major federal marijuana bust in Hawaii happened three years ago on Kauai, in which federal authorities seized nearly six million dollars' worth of marijuana plants.
Six of the defendants in this latest case were released on bond after Friday's hearing.
The trial is set for September 8 before Judge Mollway.
