2 held in
Big Isle slayings

The suspects may be part of
a Mexican heroin ring

By Rod Thompson
Big Island correspondent

HILO -- Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the execution-style slaying of two Mexican nationals in a Volcano subdivision a week ago.

The male suspects, 18 and 19, both believed to be Mexicans, are thought to be part of a heroin ring that also included the victims, police said.

Police believe the shootings resulted from a falling out between the two groups.

The suspects were arrested yesterday and are being held without charges pending further investigation.

Police did not describe the circumstances of the arrests.

Acting on a tip, police found the bodies of the victims July 27 at a two-bedroom house in Mauna Loa Estates subdivision. They were believed to have died several days earlier.

One victim was found in the house, the other outside, partially covered with dirt and vegetation. Both were killed by a single gunshot to the head from a small-caliber weapon.

The victims were identified as Armando Renteria Sanchez, 23, and his brother Arturo, 35, both of Jalisco in the Mexican Pacific coast state of Nayarit.

Sources familiar with the heroin trade said Nayarit is a major source of Mexican heroin.