KEA'AU
4 suspects charged after meth found in vehicles
Four people were arrested Monday in connection with a methamphetamine trafficking investigation in Kea'au.
Christopher Saribay, 29, of Hilo, and Kea'au residents Ruel Castro, 34, and Diane Blanco, 29, were arrested in a vehicle in which police said 41 grams of crystal methamphetamine were found. Police said the drugs had a street value of approximately $8,000.
The three suspects were charged with a variety of drug offenses, including first-degree methamphetamine trafficking. Castro was being held in lieu of $18,000 bail, while Saribay and Blanco were released after posting $9,000 and $11,000 bail, respectively.
In a separate incident, Wendell Olivera, 44, of Hilo, was arrested after police said they found 2.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a shotgun and a semi-automatic handgun in his vehicle.
Olivera, a convicted felon, was charged with firearms offenses, second-degree methamphetamine trafficking and numerous other drug crimes. He was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.