A federal grand jury has indicted Blane Apostadiro, 47, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, on five counts related to drug trafficking and firearm offenses, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. The charges stem from an October 2024 incident involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a “ghost gun” that led to a confrontation with police.
The indictment, returned on December 19, 2024, accuses Apostadiro of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing these drugs with intent to distribute, using and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon and unlawful drug user.
According to court documents, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers encountered Apostadiro on October 27, 2024, while he was driving a stolen vehicle. Apostadiro fled the vehicle on foot and discharged a privately manufactured firearm, known as a “ghost gun,” during the pursuit. HPD officers, acting in defense, returned fire, incapacitating Apostadiro and taking him into custody.
A search of Apostadiro’s possessions revealed methamphetamine, fentanyl, digital scales, plastic baggies, ammunition, and a loaded ghost gun. Additional controlled substances and drug paraphernalia were discovered in the stolen vehicle.
“Both fentanyl and ghost guns pose a grave threat to public safety, putting both law enforcement and innocent community members at risk,” stated U.S. Attorney Connors. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold armed drug dealers accountable in the criminal justice system for the significant harm they inflict.”
If convicted on all charges, Apostadiro faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, including a mandatory minimum of 20 years for the drug and firearm offenses, as well as fines up to $10 million.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Honolulu Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Slack and Wayne A. Myers are prosecuting the case.