Cirilo Sotelo, 47, also known as Cirilo Sotelo-Almanzan, is accused of criminal conspiracy to conduct unlawful methamphetamine trafficking, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

Sotelo is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail and also a federal detainer for immigration violations, according to the Hawai'i County prosecuting attorney's office.

Sotelo made his initial appearance today at Hilo District Court.

He was arrested Friday in a police raid at a Lehua Street residence in the Fern Acres subdivision at Mountain View. Another man, 30, arrested with Sotelo was released today pending further investigation.

Police Lt. Samuel Jelsma of the Hilo Vice Section's Ice Task Force said the raid capped an on-going investigation which started with street-level buys.

"I would suspect they were bringing a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine to the Big Island from the mainland," Jelsma said.

Police did a warrant-search raid Friday at the Lehua Street residence and seized 30 grams of crystal methamphetamine, plastic bags and an empty jar allegedly used to conceal drugs as evidence.

Police allegedly saw Sotelo and the uncharged second suspect flushing an unknown amount of suspected crystal methamphetamine down the bathroom toilet as they entered the Lehua Street residence.