Meth Trafficking Charge Leads to $1 Million Bail for Puna Man

The Hawai’i Police Department is holding a 31-year-old Puna man on $1 million bail for meth trafficking and other offenses involving drugs and weapons.

Police executed a search warrant on Friday at a home on the 200 block of Alaloa Road in the Waiakea Uka area of Hilo.

During the search, police found 7.75 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, paraphernalia associated with the distribution of “ice,” an unregistered handgun, two unregistered rifles, and $5,700 in cash.

Richard Theodore Frias of Mountain View was arrested during the execution of the search warrant. Two additional men, Christopher Manukai Mae, 32, of Hilo and Waylon Thomas, 35, of Hilo were also arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug offenses.

The three were taken to the Hilo police cellblock as the investigation by the Area I Vice Section continued.

On Saturday at 9 p.m., Frias was charged with first-degree meth trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia, and three weapons offenses. With bail set a $1 million, he remained at the cellblock awaiting his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday.

Mae was charged with contempt of court for an unrelated bench warrant and released Sunday after posting $1,500 bail for the contempt charge.

Thomas was released Saturday pending further investigation.

Drug offenses in connection with Mae and Thomas continue to be investigated.