HPD Makes Kealoha Beach Park Drug Arrest

Responding to citizen complaints of drug activity, Hawaiʻi island police arrested a 55-year-old Hilo man at Kealoha Beach Park in Keaukaha on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

About 11:45 a.m., officers and detectives from the vice section, along with South Hilo Community police officers made contact with the driver of a Silver Nissan SUV parked at Kealoha Beach Park.

This vehicle and operator had been the subject of several citizen complaints to their respective Community Policing Officer.

The officer assigned to that area enlisted the assistance of the Area I Vice section to address these citizens’ concerns.

A search warrant was obtained and executed on the vehicle and operator at which time police recovered 4.8 ounces of marijuana and 1.4 grams of marijuana concentrate.

The drugs, in this case, have a street value of just under $2000 and were packaged for distribution.

Police also recovered just over $450, subject to civil forfeiture.

Arrested at the scene of this search warrant was Edward Mendez of no permanent address in Hilo.

He was subsequently charged with first-degree promoting a detrimental drug, promoting a controlled substance within a public park, prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia and fourth-degree promoting a harmful drug.

Mendez is being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $4,275 bail pending his initial appearance in South Hilo District Court scheduled on Thursday, Oct. 5.

The Hawai‘i Police Department encourages community members to continue reporting suspicious behavior to police whether it’s through their community police officer, our non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

This information was provided by the authorities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.