News

Traffic Stop in Kapa`au Results in Drug Charges

Play
Listen to this Article
1 minute
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

Police charged two men and a woman with drug offenses last week after initially pulling them over for a seat-belt violation.

Following the traffic stop in Kapa`au Thursday, police determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

They also found that two of the vehicle’s occupants were wanted on outstanding warrants.

Police said a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 6.4 grams of a crystalline substance and paraphernalia associated with the use of methamphetamine.

Those charged with promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia were the driver, 22-year-old Nakalohe Gersaba, and his passengers, 36-year-old Rico Echiverri and 24-year-old Zerica Bell-Ching.

Neither Gersaba nor Echiverri have a permanent address, police said. Bell-Ching is a resident of Kapa`au.

Bail for Gersaba, who was also charged with driving without a license or insurance and failure to appear, was set at $37,300. A charge of car theft against Gersaba is pending.

Echiverri was also charged with contempt of court and violating probation. His bail was set at $135,000.

Bail for Bell-Ching was set at $7,000.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments