Bail reduced to $150K in 4-pound crystal meth case

WAILUKU — A judge reduced bail to $150,000 for a Kahului man who was arrested when police recovered more than 4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in searches of him and his residence.

Erwin Fagaragan, 55, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promoting a detrimental drug and three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.

During a court hearing Tuesday, Fagaragan asked for his bail to be lowered from $250,000, even though he is also being held on a parole violation warrant.

Deputy Prosecutor Tracy Jones asked that bail, which was previously reduced from $500,000, remain at $250,000.

She said Fagaragan had been on parole from 20-year prison sentences for first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug when he was arrested Sept. 2 for similar conduct.

Jones said police recovered 4.28 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in multiple packets, as well as about $20,000, after contacting Fagaragan as he was walking to his residence on Naholo Circle.

“Of note is that on his person there were 21 total packets packaged in street sales amounts,” Jones said.

She said another 40 packets of drugs were recovered from his residence.

In all, police seized 61 packets containing just under 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, Jones said.

If convicted as charged of the felony drug counts, Fagaragan would face a mandatory minimum prison term of 13 years and four months, she said.

Second Circuit Judge Kelsey Kawano granted the defense request, reducing bail to $150,000. Fagaragan was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to report for supervision and random drug testing if he posts bail to be released from jail. He also was ordered to abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

A Nov. 2 pretrial conference is set for Fagaragan.