Veteran police officer arrested in meth case

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Federal agents arrested a 22-year veteran police officer Monday after he allegedly sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant, and on another occasion did so while dressed in his Honolulu Police Department uniform, according to affidavits filed in U.S. District Court yesterday.

"What we have here is a situation that I'm sure troubles all of us in law enforcement," said U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, who attended Sylva's initial appearance in federal court yesterday along with Charles Goodwin, special agent in charge of the FBI in Hawai'i. "It's just gut-wrenching. Mr. Sylva's life as a police officer is no more and so is his freedom."

Sylva, he said, is the first Honolulu police officer arrested for dealing meth in recent history.

A conviction could net sentences of between 10 years and life in prison on each count, Kubo said.

According to the criminal complaints, Sylva sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on three separate occasions this month. Sylva allegedly showed up wearing his HPD blue uniform during one sale.

Agents and officers on March 21 followed Sylva when he drove to the Marukai Market parking lot next to Sports Authority on Ward Avenue.

Sylva, the investigators said, was dressed in his full HPD uniform, sold the informant 3 ounces of methamphetamine and was paid $5,400.

The informant purchased more than 4 ounces from Sylva this month and told prosecutors that Sylva had been supplying meth since November 2004.

During the March 21 buy the informant was wearing a recording device strapped to his body, according to the affidavit.

On the tape, Sylva is heard telling the informant, "Give me a break. The risk I taking. You not setting me up, are you?"

Police Chief Boisse Correa, in a written statement released yesterday, said, "Drugs are a serious problem in our community and it is disheartening that there are serious allegations against one of our officers.

We want to reassure the public that we will investigate anyone who is suspected of being involved in drug-related or other criminal activity."

Correa said the investigation was initiated by the HPD Narcotics/Vice and Internal Affairs division after the department received complaints from the community.

Sylva was assigned to the District 5 (Kalihi) patrol division, but for the past month had been working in the non-emergency call center at HPD. He is on leave without pay from the department.

Sylva made an appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Barry Kurren. Sylva's daughter and several family members were in court but declined to comment.

Sylva's alleged drug supplier, Albert "Bully" Kakuda of Waimanalo, also appeared.

Kakuda, who has a prior federal drug conviction for cocaine possession, is accused of being Sylva's methamphetamine source, Kubo said. Kakuda's arrest was a result of the same investigation that netted Sylva.

According to a separate criminal complaint, Kakuda was also arrested Monday in Kailua after he allegedly sold an ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the FBI. A search of Kakuda's car turned up another 2 ounces.

Detention hearings for both men are scheduled for Friday.