Press Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
PJKK Federal Building (808) 541-2850
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 6-100 FAX (808) 541-2958
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
For Immediate Release
Contact: Elliot Enoki
October 17, 2008
LAS VEGAS MAN GUILTY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN HAWAII
HONOLULU, HAWAII – A federal jury returned a verdict finding NELSON GAITAN-AYALA, of Las Vegas, Nevada, guilty of conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine; distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; and using a cell phone to assist in the distribution of drugs.
Ed Kubo, United States Attorney for Hawaii, said that GAITAN-AYALA, was the leader of a large drug trafficking organization which shipped thousands of pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada to Hawaii from approximately 2005 to June, 2007. GAITAN-AYALA and members of his family recruited local residents of Oahu to distribute the drugs and collect proceeds from the drug sales.
GAITAN-AYALA faces a possible life sentence with a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment. GAITAN-AYALA is scheduled to be sentenced March 16, 2009, by United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright. In addition to imprisonment, GAITAN-AYALA face possible deportation.
The case was the culmination of a three-year investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration which included extensive wire tap evidence. To date, 15 individuals have been prosecuted and convicted of federal drug offenses for their roles in the drug conspiracy. Some of the other co-conspirators in the case include, JOHN EDUARDO AYALA, age 29, of Las Vegas, NV, who was sentenced on October 3, 2008, by United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright to 192 months (16 years) in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess, with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. RAYCHEL CABRAL, age 28, of Honolulu, HI, who was sentenced by Judge Seabright on June 16, 2008, to 144 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and WILSONIS AYALA-VILLANUEVA, age 34, of Las Vegas, NV, who was sentenced on July 7, 2008, by Judge Seabright to 168 months for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to information produced in connection with court proceedings, AYALA, CABRAL, and AYALA-VILLANUEVA were part of the above-described conspiracy wherein they received pound quantities of methamphetamine which were then distributed within the District of Hawaii.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Cushman and Special Agent William C. Wise of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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