Two Men Arrested, Charged on Drug Offenses

Benjamin Fleming. HPD photo.

The Hawai’i Police Department has charged two men with drug offenses following a Friday arrest in Kona.

Authorities say that Area II Vice Officers observed 50-year-old Captain Cook man Benjamin Fleming in a sports-utility vehicle being operated by 52-year-old Richard Castro, who has no permanent address.

Fleming was wanted by Vice Officers in connection with an unrelated narcotics investigation.

Vice Officers contacted both men at a business on the 74-5000 block of Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. Upon contact, the officers observed paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use in the vehicle.

Both men were arrested and taken to the Kona police cellblock as an investigation continued.

A search warrant was executed on the SUV on Saturday and 60.4 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 15.5 grams of suspected cocaine, 14.5 grams of suspected heroin, 10.6 grams of suspected marijuana, paraphernalia associated with narcotics use and distribution, one unspent .32 caliber round and $4,174 in cash for forfeiture was recovered from the vehicle.

Castro was charged at 12:30 a.m. Sunday with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, meth trafficking, possessing drug paraphernalia, and place to keep—ammunition and ownership/possession prohibited.

Police set Castro’s bail at $146,000. He remained at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance Monday morning.

Fleming was charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Fleming’s bail was set at $2,250. He was released on bail at 12:55 p.m. Sunday.