Suspect in alleged drug smuggling case pleads not guilty

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A man accused of trying to transport methamphetamine from Honolulu to South Korea has pleaded not guilty.

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Geraldo Figueroa Jr. entered the plea at his arraignment Friday after he was indicted in the federal case.

Customs officers said they found methamphetamine in two of Figueroa’s carry-on bags as he tried to board a flight from Honolulu to Seoul on July 10.

Court documents allege Figueroa told officers he was offered $30,000 to travel from California to Honolulu, pick up the bags from an airport bathroom and transport them to South Korea.

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A judge previously ordered Figueroa released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. As a condition of release, he must remain at the Makana O Ke Akua housing facility unless he receives prior approval from Pretrial Services.

His trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 22. A trial conference is set for Sept. 10.

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