Over a kilogram of fentanyl and pounds of methamphetamine are off the streets of West Hawaii thanks to an investigation by the Hawaii Police Department Area II vice unit working in concert with federal officials.
With 2 milligrams of fentanyl being a lethal dose, one kilogram could kill almost half the population of Hawaii, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii in December indicted 48 year-old Eustakio Estrada-Castillo of Tacoma, Washington, on suspicion of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and a detectable amount of heroin, two counts of distribution of over 400 grams of fentanyl, and distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine. The offenses are alleged to have taken place between August and November 2021.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Muehleck in November, an investigation was initiated by HPD vice after a “cooperating defendant” was arrested for narcotics offenses.
The informant provided law enforcement with specific information regarding the distribution network of Castillo and others operating between Seattle and Kona. The Hawaii Police Department verified the information and after a special agent with Homeland Security obtained a federal search warrant, were able to search records and information associated with Castillo’s mobile phone.
During a recorded conversation between the informant and Castillo, law enforcement learned of packages containing either fentanyl, heroin, meth or a combination of the three would be sent to a Kona address. A postal inspector informed the federal agent two packages were shipped by Castillo from the Los Angeles Airport Post Office to a Kailua-Kona address.
Search warrants were executed on the packages, which documents state were found to contain a total of 5 pounds of methamphetamine. Castillo was arrested by HPD officers on Nov. 29, 2021, when he arrived at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
The extensive multi-agency, initiated by Hawaii County, and complimented by federal law enforcement investigation resulted in the recovery of over 8,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 2.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, and approximately 5 pounds of methamphetamine arriving on Hawaii Island.
On Dec. 23, 2021, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfeld ordered that Estrada-Castillo be detained without bail pending his jury trial, which is now scheduled for Aug. 29. He has pleaded not guilty to the offenses.
Hawaii Police Department’s Area II Vice Section Lt. Ed Buyten said the indictment is a result of the police department working in concert with federal agencies.
He also noted the team he has assembled in the vice unit is “the best team I’ve ever had” after being assigned to multiple units within HPD during the Kona-raised officer’s career. Results of the investigations netted the department’s biggest drug bust in 2021.
“This is a win,” he said. “This is the biggest bust we had in 2021. We took over $1 million of drugs off the streets of Hawaii Island,” said Buyten. “We welcome community input on suspected drug dealings. It can be completely anonymous.”
Anyone interested in reporting suspected drug distribution activities are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 or the Area II vice unit at 808-326-4646 ext 226.