On Friday, December 15, 2023, members of Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area 1 Vice Section arrested 44-year-old Olomana P. Black, of Pahoa, following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at his residence in the Ainaloa subdivision.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Puna man, 44 year-old Olomana Black was arrested and charged with offenses related to the attempted distribution of methamphetamine and prohibited possession of four firearms. On December 15, 2023, Area I VICE officers executed narcotics search warrants upon a residence located on Vista Drive in Ainaloa and a vehicle recovering nearly 60 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and four firearms including, a .300 blackout AR style rifle, .44 caliber revolver, .22 caliber Ruger revolver, and a 9mm semiautomatic unserialized “ghost” gun.
During the search of the residence, police recovered 2.1 ounces (60.61 grams) of methamphetamine, an AR-15 style rifle with obliterated manufacturer label, a .22 Ruger revolver, and miscellaneous ammunition. A second search warrant was served on Black’s vehicle with two additional firearms being located, a Colt .44 magnum revolver, and a 9mm un-serialized semiautomatic pistol (ghost gun), along with various methamphetamine related paraphernalia and ammunition.
As the Complaint alleges, Black is charged with ten offenses including Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possess one ounce or more of methamphetamine), Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempt to distribute one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of a dangerous drug, methamphetamine), four counts of Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, two counts of Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, and Manufacturing, Purchasing, or Obtaining Firearm Parts to Assemble a Firearm Having No Serial Number.
The most serious charges, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree and Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree are both class A felony offenses punishable by either a twenty-year prison term or ten years probation and up to two years in jail.
Black made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. Black’s attorney’s request for supervised release was denied and his bail was maintained at $222,000.00. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2023.
The charges are merely allegations and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The felony drug investigation was led by the Area I VICE Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Muñoz.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.