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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:59 p.m., Sunday, September 14, 2008

Big Isle man, 81, accused of drug, gun offenses

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Leovegildo Mercado, 81, charged with promotion of marijuana and firearm offenses.

Courtesy of Hawai‘i County police

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An 81-year-old Ka'u man was charged Friday with three counts of commercial promotion of marijuana, one count of promoting a detrimental drug and six firearms violations stemming from a Big Island police raid Thursday at a Pakalana Street residence in Pahala.

Leovegildo Mercado is being held in lieu of $10,700 bail at the Kona police cellblock. Mercado has one prior conviction according to Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center records.

A 64-year-old man arrested with Mercado in the 3:50 p.m. raid has been released pending further investigation.

Vice Section Lt. Miles Chong said police seized 506 marijuana plants, 4.9 pounds of dried marijuana, two rifles, a handgun and ammunition in the raid. Also seized was $44,000 in cash for forfeiture, said Chong.