HILO, HI – A Hilo man is facing serious drug charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery of over 320 grams of methamphetamine. Alfred Silva, 47, was arrested and charged with possession and attempted distribution of methamphetamine.
The arrest occurred on March 19, 2025, when Silva was pulled over for traffic violations while driving a Jeep Wrangler. According to police reports, Officers Harrison Clifford and Rodney DeLima of the Puna Patrol, Hawai‘i Police Department, made the initial contact.
Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The subsequent search revealed a significant quantity of methamphetamine, along with items indicative of drug distribution, including more than thirty clean and unused Ziploc packets, a glass smoking pipe, and a scale.
Silva was charged with Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possessing one ounce or more of methamphetamine), Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempting to distribute one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine), and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree.
He made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Thursday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $220,000, and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 24, 2025.
Both Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree and Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree are Class A felony offenses, carrying a potential penalty of either a twenty-year prison term or ten years of probation with up to twenty-four months in jail.
Detective Duane Rapoza of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section led the felony investigation, with assistance from Vice-East. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Herbert Mukai and Elyssa Correia Keltner are prosecuting the case.
The charges against Silva are merely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.