HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII ICE TASK FORCE
LIEUTENANT MARSHALL KANEHAILUA
PHONE: 961-2340
AUGUST 30, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

East Hawaii Ice Task Force and Vice Section officers have arrested three male suspects for a variety of drug offenses after executing a search warrant on a Kaiwiki Road residence in Hilo.

About 5:45 p.m. Friday (August 27, 2004), the officers arrested Joel Castillo, 46, at his residence after recovering 54.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” and 14.3 grams of crack cocaine in a plastic container in his pocket. Officers also recovered $6,555 in cash for forfeiture.

Officers arrested two more suspects at the residence — Rodney Tamura, 57 of an Aikane Loop address, and Romualdo Bermudez, 49 of a Keaau address in Puna.

Bermudez was arrested after officers recovered four grams of crystal methamphetamine and a smoking pipe in his pocket. Tamura was arrested after officers recovered a glass smoking pipe in his pocket.

Castillo was charged Sunday with promotion of a dangerous drug, and his bail was set at $225,000. He was later transferred to Honolulu, where he is being held for federal prosecution.

Bermudez was charged with promotion of a dangerous drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $4,000.

Tamura was released pending further investigation.

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