A federal grand jury yesterday indicted three Honolulu residents on drug-trafficking charges involving the shipment of 916.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Hawai'i.

The indictment charged Kilimi Pa, Brandi Gouveia and Thomas James Samora with intentionally possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Authorities intercepted a FedEx package containing the drugs on Tuesday and set up a controlled-delivery bust. Gouveia allegedly signed for the parcel as "Sandy Lee" when it was delivered to 751 Kaipu'u St. in Mo'ili'ili, the indictment stated.

Pa and Gouveia allegedly drove to Kalihi, where the box was turned over to Samora at Colburn Street and Waiakamilo Road.

The parcel, equipped with an electronic beeper device, was allegedly found in Samora's car.

CRIMESTOPPERS HELPS FIND MAN

A man reported missing in a Honolulu CrimeStoppers bulletin Wednesday has been found.

Police yesterday said Thomas Jeffrey, who was described as emotionally distraught and depressed when last seen Feb. 29, was befriended that day at Ala Moana Beach Park by members of a church group, who have been caring for him.

A church member recognized Jeffrey's photo and notified CrimeStoppers of his whereabouts.

Jeffrey moved to Hawai'i from Canada a year ago and has no permanent local address, police said. He is a frequent visitor to a variety of O'ahu beaches.

STUDENT RENTAL SCAM REPORTED

Hawai'i County police are warning the public about a scam involving vacation rentals.

A person posing as a college student makes arrangements to rent a unit and sends what looks like a check from a university as a deposit via FedEx.

In an e-mail, the sender claims that the university has written a grant check that includes the amount of the rental and the student's airfare. The sender asks the landlord to deposit the check in the recipient's bank account and to send the difference by Western Union to an address that supposedly belongs to the student's travel agent.

A Kailua, Kona, woman reported this past Tuesday that she received such a check. Police confirmed it was a scam.

THREE INDICTED ON FIREARM OFFENSES

Three men were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for separate alleged firearm offenses.

Mario Tuua, 25, also known as Sia Unutoa and Tala Pasena, was charged in a three-count indictment with allegedly possessing a Colt Combat Commander .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight bullets, being in possession of cocaine and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

Tuua was arrested Friday at 1339 River St. after Crime Reduction Unit officers on routine patrol in Chinatown allegedly saw a drug transaction take place. As an officer approached Tuua, he allegedly threw a black bag into the river. A bag with the gun and drugs was recovered.

Also indicted yesterday for being felons allegedly in possession of firearms were Romerick D. Tabuyo, 30, and Gregory Francis Ritter, 29.

Tabuyo is accused of being in possession of an Iver Johnson Model TP22 .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol, Mossberg Model 88 Maverick 12-gauge pump-action shotgun with a pistol grip, and 52 rounds of ammunition for the guns.

Ritter was arrested early Sunday in Waikiki on suspicion of driving a stolen car. Yesterday's indictment charged him with possessing a Smith & Wesson .45-caliber handgun and 23 rounds of ammunition.

MANY TAKERS FOR HABITAT HOMES

More than 200 families packed Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center in Nanakuli Monday to apply for the opportunity to build a home with Habitat for Humanity Leeward O'ahu, the nonprofit organization said yesterday.

Monday's event was the first of three scheduled meetings in the selection process for families to build their own home in Leeward Habitat's 31-home Kaukamana Hale subdivision.

Two more meetings are available to families wanting to apply for the project. Application forms are available only at the meetings.

The meetings are Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, at Wai'anae District Park's multipurpose room, 85-601 Farrington Highway, and March 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center, 89-101 Farrington Highway.

Leeward Habitat partners with low-income families ready for the responsibility of homeownership but who would not qualify for a traditional mortgage.