25 Pounds of Methamphetamine Disguised as Aztec Calendars and Statues Seized in Major California Drug Trafficking Bust
25 Pounds of Methamphetamine Disguised as Aztec Calendars and Statues Seized in Major California Drug Trafficking Bust
Federal authorities in California dismantled a Southern California drug ring accused of attempting to ship large quantities of methamphetamine to Hawaii by disguising the drugs as decorative Aztec artifacts, including replicas of the iconic 500-year-old Aztec calendar stone (Sun Stone). The scheme was detailed in official press releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release dated October 16, 2018, the ring attempted to mail approximately 11.7 kilograms (about 25.8 pounds) of pure methamphetamine from a U.S. Postal Service office in Garden Grove, Orange County. The drugs were concealed within a nearly 90-pound shipment that appeared to be colorful, decorative Mexican souvenirs and replicas of ancient Aztec items—such as calendar stones, masks, wall hangings, and statues. The methamphetamine had been intricately molded, carved, and painted to mimic genuine artifacts, making the package look innocuous to casual inspection.
Above: The real Aztec Sun Stone (calendar), a famous 500-year-old artifact from Mexico that inspired the drug smugglers’ replicas. (Image for visual reference; the disguised meth versions were painted and shaped to look nearly identical but were solid narcotics.)
This was not an isolated attempt. The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved at least three intercepted shipments to Hawaii over the course of about a year:
- One package containing about 2 pounds of methamphetamine sent via FedEx from Santa Ana.
- Another with nearly 5 pounds hidden inside bags of ground coffee, shipped from Cypress.
- The largest: the July 17, 2018, attempt with the 25+ pounds of meth disguised as Aztec objects.
All three shipments were successfully intercepted by law enforcement before they reached their destination.
Federal Investigation and California Law Enforcement Collaboration
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI/ICE), and the Cypress Police Department (a local California law enforcement agency). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosalind Wang in the Santa Ana branch of the Central District of California.
While this was a federal prosecution under U.S. law (handled by the Department of Justice and federal agencies operating in California), it underscores the coordinated efforts between federal authorities and California-based local police to combat methamphetamine trafficking. No specific statements from the California state government (such as the California Department of Justice or Attorney General’s office) were issued on this particular case, as it fell under federal jurisdiction. However, the bust aligns with broader state and federal priorities to disrupt cross-border and interstate drug networks that fuel California’s ongoing methamphetamine crisis.
Arrests and Charges
A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment on October 10, 2018, charging nine individuals. Eight were arrested on October 16, 2018, while the ninth was already in federal custody on an unrelated matter. The defendants, all California residents, included:
- Vaimanino Lee Pomele, 49, of Garden Grove (alleged orchestrator of shipments)
- Felix Salgado, 28, of Perris
- German Bastidas Nunez (“Cheque”), 46, of Moreno Valley
- Fernando Caballero Rascon, 42, of Garden Grove
- James Arnold Borbon (“Dino”), 58, of Garden Grove
- Moises Rey Avina, 39, of Santa Ana
- Gary Wayne Minter, 55, of Victorville
- Alejandra Pomele, 44, of Garden Grove
- Stephen Dgewell Martin, 30, of Anaheim (allegedly dropped off the disguised shipment at the post office)
If convicted, each faced a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison, with potential sentences of decades.
This operation highlights the ingenuity of traffickers—and the effectiveness of federal interdiction efforts in California. Official photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (and referenced in outlets like KTLA and NBC Los Angeles) show the seized items: vibrant, stone-like replicas that were actually solid methamphetamine. The case remains a notable example of how drug smugglers exploit cultural artifacts to evade detection.
Sources: All information is drawn directly from official federal government releases by the U.S. Department of Justice/U.S. Attorney’s Central District of California and the DEA (October 2018). No additional California state government-specific releases were located for this incident.
