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.

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.