Puna Man Held on $95K Bail for Various Drug Offenses

Update: A Hilo District Court Judge maintained bail of $95,000 for Lawrence Castro who is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 11.

Original Story:

A Puna man is scheduled to appear in Hilo District Court this afternoon on various methamphetamine possession and attempted distribution drug charges.

Forty-seven-year-old Lawrence Castro, a repeat and persistent offender with three prior felony convictions, was charged Friday, May 6, with first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.

If convicted as charged, Castro faces sentencing to a mandatory minimum prison term without the possibility of parole. At the time of his arrest, Castro was on supervised release for two unrelated felony matters in Hilo Circuit Court.

Castro remains in custody in lieu of $95,000 bail.