A Pahoa man and woman were indicted in connection with a large-scale drug bust July 24.
A 15-count indictment charges 44-year-old David Benevides Sr. with one count each of first-, second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, four counts of attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Under the same indictment, 38-year-old Tammy Yamashita is charged with single counts of first-, second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police say a search warrant was executed at a residence and property on Kamaili Road, also known as Opihikao Road, in lower Puna.
According to police, 250.2 grams — more than a half-pound — of methamphetamine was seized.
Police also allegedly recovered 40.2 grams of heroin, slightly more than 1 1/4 ounces, and a residual amount of fentanyl — a semi-synthetic opioid painkiller the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine.
In addition, police said, officers uprooted 142 marijuana plants ranging from 3-inches to 3-feet in height growing on the property and confiscated 5.4 pounds of processed marijuana.
Drug paraphernalia recovered included a digital scale, empty ziplock packets and a spoon containing a crystal-like residue, police said.
Two vehicles and $30,475 in cash also were seized for possible civil forfeiture, according to police.
Bench warrants were issued for both individuals, setting bail at $410,000 for Benevides and $37,000 for Yamashita, according to court records.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
