A Mexican national with a history of drug trafficking and multiple deportations is facing serious federal charges in Hawaii after allegedly attempting to receive a large shipment of methamphetamine. Enrique Gonzalez Jacobo, 59, was indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being an illegal alien present in the United States after having been previously convicted of a felony and removed. The announcement was made today by Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson.

According to court documents, Gonzalez Jacobo has been deported to Mexico on four separate occasions and has three prior felony convictions related to drug trafficking. His latest arrest occurred in Hilo, Hawaii in July 2024, after law enforcement intercepted a suspicious package addressed to him. The package, disguised as a stuffed animal, contained over five pounds of methamphetamine.

Authorities with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations discovered the parcel on July 2, 2024, and found it to contain approximately 2,600 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

In a strategic operation, agents replaced the illicit drugs with a pseudo-methamphetamine substitute, applied fluorescent detection powder to the stuffed animal, and inserted a beeper-tracker device to monitor the package’s location and opening. The repackaged parcel was then delivered to Gonzalez Jacobo’s Hilo residence.

After law enforcement witnessed Gonzalez Jacobo retrieve the package from his porch, the beeper-tracker device signaled that the parcel had been opened. Agents then executed a search warrant on the residence.

According to officials, Gonzalez Jacobo attempted to flee, running into nearby bushes before being apprehended. The delivered package, already opened and missing its contents, was found in a black garbage bag. A second bag containing the substitute drugs was discovered nearby.

Evidence suggests that Gonzalez Jacobo was directly involved with the package’s contents. He was found wearing gloves that, under fluorescent light, emitted a glow matching the detection powder applied to the stuffed animal.

During an interview with law enforcement on July 3, 2024, Gonzalez Jacobo allegedly admitted to purchasing methamphetamine from a mainland supplier and selling it in Hawaii for profit. He also acknowledged anticipating the delivery, believing it contained five pounds of methamphetamine. He confessed to opening the parcel, discovering the substitute, and planning to “bum it.”

If convicted on the current charges, Gonzalez Jacobo faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of ten years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000,000.

Acting United States Attorney Sorenson emphasized that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and Gonzalez Jacobo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Should he be convicted, a United States District Judge will determine his sentence based on statutory factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Nakamura.