A federal jury in Honolulu on Wednesday 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 before U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2024.
According to the evidence presented at trial, between at least June 15 to June 28 of this year, Castro Alavez conspired with others 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.
Both the conspiracy and attempted possession counts carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.