Kona Man Faces ‘Ghost Gun’ Violation Among Array of Firearm, Drug Offenses

A wanted Kona man located in Puna is now facing an array of drug and firearm-related offenses.

On Feb. 25 at about 6 p.m., Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Special Enforcement Unit found 39-year-old Bernard K. Antoque seated in a vehicle parked on Kumu Street in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision in Pāhoa. Antoque had two outstanding warrants stemming from an unrelated manslaughter and negligent homicide investigation.

As officers spoke with Antoque, officials say, they observed a firearm and marijuana within the vehicle in plain view. Antoque was arrested without incident and the vehicle was recovered and towed to the Hilo police station.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which yielded the recovery of a loaded “ghost gun” pistol (firearm without serial number), various types of ammunition, approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, a minimal amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Antoque was charged with five counts of ownership/possession of a firearm prohibited, place to keep pistol, place to keep ammunition, “ghost gun” violation, loaded firearm on highway, possession of a firearm with intent to facilitate the commission of a felony drug offense, two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, possession of an imitation controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and driving without a valid driver’s license. His total bail was set at $337,500 for these offenses.

Antoque made his initial court appearance on March 1 in Hilo District Court where District Court Judge Bruce Larson maintained bail. a Preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 3.