Drug Trafficker Found Guilty of Conspiracy and Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine

for Immediate Release, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, October 19, 2023

HONOLULU – After a four-day jury trial before Senior United States District Judge Susan Oki Mollway, a federal jury yesterday found Luis Miguel Castro Alavez, 31, of Mexico, guilty of conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2024.

According to the evidence presented at trial, during at least June 15, 2023 to June 28, 2023, Castro Alavez conspired with persons in Hawaii, California, and Mexico to distribute methamphetamine in Hawaii. Castro Alavez flew from California to Hilo, stayed in a vacation rental, and waited for a shipment of methamphetamine to arrive in the mail from his co-conspirators in California. On June 28, the landlord of the vacation rental, upon partially opening the parcel after its arrival, discovered suspected drugs and contacted Hawaii County Police, who arrested Castro Alavez later that day. Prior to the arrival of the parcel, Castro Alavez wired payments from Hilo to his co-conspirators in Mexico and mailed cash packed into chocolate boxes to his co-conspirators in California.

(CLUE:  He did this less than four months ago and now he on the way to federal penetentiary.  Defend Hawaii means police protect local drug dealers monopoly.  And look how very efficient the Hawaii County PD becomes when an outsider starts selling here!)

Both counts carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum of life in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hawaii County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Albanese and Gregg Paris Yates prosecuted the case.

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