HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
VICE SECTION, AREA I
LIEUTENANT SAMUEL JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2253
APRIL 16, 2007
REPORT NO. C07012208

MEDIA RELEASE

A Puna man has been arrested and charged with drug offenses following the service of a search warrant on his property Friday (April 13).

The suspect is identified as 60-year-old Joseph Cerio, who for several years had been leasing a property on Naholowaa Road in the Hawaiian Homes Makuu Farm Lot area of Puna. Two other residents were arrested but later released.

Police vice officers executed a search warrant at Cerio’s home at 4:25 p.m. Friday and arrested him on suspicion of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. Timothy Cerio, 24, and Brandy Rivera, 30, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

Police recovered 48.5 grams (1.71 ounces) of black tar heroin, a small amount of marijuana and $35,370 cash. Police also recovered scales, packets, wax paper and foil associated with packaging heroin for sale. They seized a 1941 Custom Chevrolet pickup truck, a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1999 Pontiac Grand Vitara, a 2005 all-terrain vehicle and a 46-inch flat screen television, which, along with the cash, are pending forfeiture action.

After conferring with prosecutors, police charged Cerio with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $50,000. He is in custody at the Hilo police cellblock.

The other two were released pending further investigation.

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