A typo turned Maoli into a drug suspect online

A court filing mistake sent social media into a frenzy, but Maoli singer Glenn Awong is not a drug dealer.

US federal prosecutors have corrected a mistake in a criminal complaint that wrongly appeared to link the Hawaiian reggae star to allegations of methamphetamine dealing.

Awong, the founder and lead singer of Maoli, was mistakenly identified as “Person 3” in the document. Prosecutors have since confirmed that was an error and that Awong should have been identified as “Person 5”.

The confusion came from a criminal case involving Maui Police Lieutenant Michael Vaituulala, who is accused of accepting bribes from suspected drug dealers, illegal cockfighting operators and others.

Awong was mentioned in the wider case because Vaituulala had attended a New Year’s party at his home.

But somehow, a typo in the federal filing had TikTok and social media doing detective work before the correction had even landed.

Awong was suddenly being accused online of being a drug dealer, despite there being no allegation against him.

According to his lawyer, John Isbell, the mistake had serious consequences.

Music streaming service Hawaiʻi Reggae Network announced it would remove Maoli from its rotation, while social media users began sharing and speculating about the allegations.

Fake AI-generated videos also appeared online, showing Awong supposedly being arrested by the FBI and even sitting in a prison cell.

His Instagram comments were eventually turned off after users began attacking him over the allegations.

Awong's lawyer has now made it very clear that the singer was not the person prosecutors were referring to as a suspected meth supplier.

“We are pleased that the government now has publicly acknowledged that a typographical error in a prior legal filing may have been interpreted to imply that Glenn Awong — professionally known as Maoli — may have been involved in drug dealing,” Isbell said.

“Glenn is not ‘Person 3.’”

Isbell said Awong and his family were also concerned about the online attacks and threats that followed the original filing.

“That dangerous behavior must stop immediately,” he said.

The family is now exploring possible legal options over alleged defamation and threats.

So, before the TikTok detectives start another investigation: Maoli isn't a drug dealer.

It was a court filing mistake.

The actual criminal case centres on Vaituulala, who remains in federal custody and is accused of taking cash payments in exchange for protecting drug dealers, illegal cockfighting operations and others.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 27.

As for Maoli, Awong is still scheduled to perform in Hilo on August 29.