HILO, Hawai'i — A Hilo elementary school teacher has been charged with methamphetamine trafficking after police raided her Keaukaha condominium unit Tuesday and allegedly seized drugs and more than $13,000 in cash.

Lynn M. Dionise, 51, was charged with first-degree methamphetamine trafficking after members of the Hilo Ice Task Force Unit had an informant buy drugs from Dionise at her condo, according to police and court records.

Officers then served a search warrant on Dionise's condo on Kalaniana'ole Avenue about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and allegedly seized packets containing 6.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine or "ice," along with $13,245 in cash in a safe in a closet.

The money used by the police informant to allegedly buy meth from Dionise was found in the safe, according to court records. Police also found less than a half-gram of marijuana on a bookshelf in the condo.

Officers arrested Dionise at the end of Kalaniana'ole Avenue near Pu'u Maile. In addition to the trafficking count she was charged with second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Sandra Goya, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education, said Dionise is a special education teacher with 19 years' experience with the DOE, including more than eight years in her current job at Keaukaha Elementary School.

Goya said Dionise has been placed on "department directive leave" with pay while the department conducts an investigation.

First-degree methamphetamine trafficking involves the sale of more than an eighth of an ounce of meth, sale of meth to a minor, manufacturing of meth or possession of more than an ounce of meth.

If convicted on that count, Dionise faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years with a mandatory minimum term of two to eight years.

Dionise was being held at the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $20,250 bail.