Jury finds methamphetamine trafficker guilty of conspiracy and attempted possession of methamphetamine

Luis Miguel Castro Alavez, 31 years old of Mexico, was found guilty of conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine by a federal jury in October.

Alavez was ordered to appear for sentencing on Feb. 7, 2024.

The case, which was adopted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was initiated after
Hawai‘i 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 co-conspirators in California. On June 28, 2023, the landlord of the vacation rental, upon partially opening the parcel after its arrival, discovered suspected drugs and contacted Hawai‘i 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.”

“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,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

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