Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C15033261
Bradford Leialoha
Media Release
A Hilo man is in police custody after being found in a stolen truck with drugs in his possession.
The truck, a 1999 Toyota pickup, was stolen from Honokaʻa on November 11.
On Thursday (November 19), Puna District officers located the truck being driven on Kulani Road at the intersection with Ekena Street.
The driver, 35-year-old Bradford John Enoka Leialoha, was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation. Detectives recovered drug paraphernalia and 11.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Leialoha’s person.
On Friday afternoon, he was charged with first-degree meth trafficking, promoting a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. His bail was set at $310,000. He was also charged with violating terms of supervised release and held without bail on that charge pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday (November 23).