Hilo couple facing charges after search of residence leads to 50 grams of meth
A couple from Hilo is facing charges of attempted drug distribution and firearms offenses after authorities found more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and two guns in an East Hawai‘i home.
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Alan Dias, 58, and Marisa Garcia, 31, were taken into custody after Hawai‘i Island police searched a residence on Kino‘ole Street on Aug. 28. The search yielded meth as well as a loaded Lorcin brand 9mm semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine, a North American Arms Corp. .22 caliber revolver, ammunition, a digital scale, over 30 clean and unused zip type packets, drug paraphernalia, and over $1,000 in U.S. currency.
Both Garcia and Dias made their initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday afternoon. Dias’ bail was maintained at $260,000 and Garcia’s bail was maintained at $190,000. Both were ordered to appear for preliminary hearings on Sept. 4.
Dias is charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition prohibited and ownership prohibited.
Garcia was charged with first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, ownership or possession of a firearm prohibited and ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited.
First-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug are both class A felony offenses and are punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
If convicted as charged, both Dias and Garcia face sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation. Additionally, prosecutors have provided a notice that both Dias and Garcia are subject to an extended term of imprisonment.