Second Man Charged with Murder Relating to Methamphetamine Trafficking
Authorities charged Taliau Tauvela-Afalava, 31, of Aiea, Hawaii, in connection with the March 27, 2021, murder of a man who allegedly failed to pay for methamphetamine. He appeared in court as a co-defendant of Filimone Tavake, 38, of San Francisco, who was indicted and arrested in March 2024.
The victim was shot multiple times outside his residence. Surveillance footage showed an unmarked vehicle near the home before the shooting, with two men walking toward the victim’s street and running away following gunshots. Investigators matched the vehicle's infotainment system to phone numbers linked to both suspects.
Tauvela-Afalava faces charges including using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and causing the victim’s death with a firearm. Conviction could mean a prison sentence ranging from 20 years to life.
The case highlights ongoing violent drug trafficking activities and underscores law enforcement’s efforts to connect multiple suspects through technological evidence. The prosecution aims to hold all responsible parties accountable for drug-fueled violence impacting communities in Hawaii and beyond.
