Puna man charged in attempted distribution of 10 pounds of meth

A 32-year-old Puna man has been arrested and charged following the delivery of a parcel, which Hawaii island authorities said originally contained over 10 pounds of a crystal-like substance that tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Big Island police vice officers arrested Jas Dewitt McQuade Cox at a Hawaiian Paradise Park residence on Tuesday evening, according to Hawaii County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen.

Police said officers later obtained subsequent search warrants and recovered, a black Radical Arms model RF-15 multi-caliber rifle with a black cylindrical silencer and two magazines, a black-and-silver 9mm semiautomatic, an unserialized pistol (ghost gun), 9mm and .308 caliber ammunition, a glass smoking pipe and two zip packets and contents that tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine, plus an operable digital scale.

Cox is charged with two counts each of attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm, possession of a ghost gun and silencer, and two counts of prohibited possession of ammunition.

The most serious offense, attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, is a Class A felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Cox made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday. His request for a bail reduction was denied, and his bail was maintained at $360,000. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Cox remained in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.