2 charged with meth smuggling

Advertiser Staff

Two men described as a Mexican drug dealer and his driver were charged in federal court yesterday with trying to smuggle crystal methamphetamine from California to Honolulu.

Jose Louis Lerma-Gabino, 55, described as a dealer by federal authorities, and Juan Carlos Gonzalez, 28, were arrested Saturday in Santa Ana, Calif., according to an FBI affidavit filed in court yesterday.

The arrest came after a meeting with a federal undercover agent who was to buy 50 pounds of ice for $540,000, the affidavit said. The undercover agent found 10 bundles of white powder inside a suitcase in the two men's car, the document said.

Although Lerma-Gabino claimed the white substance was a mixture of flour and coconut, in a field test it tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the affidavit. The two are accused of having about 35 pounds of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

The affidavit said that in March, the undercover agent had agreed with Lerma-Gabino to set up a deal involving 200 to 500 pounds of ice.

As a result, Lerma-Gabino shipped an ounce of ice though FedEx from California to Hawai'i on Oct. 26, the document said.

Later, Lerma-Gabino and the agent set up a 60-pound sale, but on Saturday, Lerma-Gabino said all he could come up with was 50 pounds, officers said.