A man who helped found a local music group is accused of planning to distribute 50 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of more than $1.5 million, officials in the U.S. attorney's office said.

Federal authorities told KHON-TV that Joe Daniels Jr., who helped found the group B.E.T. — for Big Every Time — was being held at the Federal Detention Center last night. He is charged with several drug counts including possession and intent to distribute, according to federal officials.

Authorities said three weeks ago they seized two packages of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, bound for Hawai'i from the Los Angeles airport after a shipping company discovered the suspicious packages.

Officials allowed the packages to come to Honolulu so authorities could trace who picked them up. KITV reported that the 50 pounds of ice was divided among 50 Tupperware containers stuffed inside two FedEx packages.

Authorities said it was the biggest shipment of ice to Hawai'i in 20 years.

The packages wound up in an apartment complex in Royal Kunia, after being initially picked up in La'ie and taken to Pearl Ridge, authorities said.

Daniels and two men from California arrested in the case are scheduled to appear in federal court tomorrow.

Joe Daniels Sr. told KITV that his son was innocent of the charges.

"It wasn't his, I swear on my life it wasn't his," Daniels said in a KITV news account. "I know my son."

The music of B.E.T., according to a Web bio, is a blend of reggae, hip-hop, R&B and funk. The band first started in 1993, providing backup for other groups. B.E.T. has cut two albums.