31 year-old Luis Miguel Castro Alavez of Mexico was recently found guilty of conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine by a federal jury. He will appear for sentencing on February 7, 2024.

The case which was adopted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was initiated after Hawai‘i County Police Department personnel were contacted by a Hilo vacation rental landlord. According to a press release by the United States Attorney’s Office, “during at least June 15, 2023 to June 28, 2023, Castro Alavez conspired with persons in Hawai‘i, California, and Mexico to distribute methamphetamine in Hawai‘i. 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 coconspirators in California.

After opening the parcel on On June 28, 2023, the vacation rental landlord discovered suspected drugs and contacted HPD, 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 coconspirators in California.

In a press release Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said, “Our Office will continue to promote and encourage coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to hold drug dealers accountable and prioritize the prosecution of those who are responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine in our community. These investigations and prosecution were the result of a combined effort by members of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I VICE Section, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Hawai‘i County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” .

The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Albanese and Gregg Paris Yates.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney