A Hilo grand jury returned separate indictments Oct. 23 against a Pahoa man and woman on numerous drug and firearms charges.
A nine-count indictment charges 60-year-old Delbert C. Paulo with three counts each of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, plus single counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
And a four-count indictment charges 35-year-old Kristine K. Pali with first- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and two firearms offenses.
According to court documents filed by police, both were arrested after police executed a search warrant Oct. 10 at a Pahoa residence.
Paulo was found to be in possession of slightly more than a pound of methamphetamine, more than 2 ounces each of cocaine and heroin, almost 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana, plus a sawed-off Springfield Model 83 .22 caliber rifle, a Savage Model 38 .22 caliber rifle, a Mossberg Maverick Model 88 20-gauge shotgun, and a black 9 mm pistol with no model or serial number and a loaded magazine, documents state.
Officers also confiscated $24,100 from Paulo, according to the documents.
The indictment alleges Pali possessed more than 2 ounces of cocaine, 5.5 grams of methamphetamine and an unregistered, loaded Excam Model GT27 .22 caliber pistol.
The most serious charges, first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense, are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.
The indictment, however, alleges Paulo is subject to extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public as a “multiple offender” because of the number of felony offenses in the indictment, which could subject him to a possible life sentence with the possibility of parole if he is convicted of two or more of the felonies.
Both cases were being heard in Hilo District Court, but the indictment moves them to Hilo Circuit Court for arraignment, plea and possible trial. Bench warrants were issued, setting bail for Paulo at $115,000 and Pali at $3,000.
Both are free after posting bond.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
