Search warrant turns up cocaine, marijuana; Honoka‘a man arrested, charged

A Honoka‘a man faces several drug charges after Big Island police found marijuana and cocaine while executing a search warrant last week.

According to the Hawai‘i Police Department, 36-year-old Omar Gonzales was arrested after a search warrant was executed the morning of Jan. 27 at a residence off Honoka‘a-Waipi‘o Road in Hāmākua. Gonzales was at the residence at the time.

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office Tuesday afternoon, Gonzales was charged with:

• One count of first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug.
• One count of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
• One count of first-degree attempted promotion of a detrimental drug.
• One count of second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

His bail was set at $22,250. Gonzales was released from custody after posting bond and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Feb. 21 in South Kohala District Court.

Officers with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Vice Section recovered 110 grams of marijuana, 50 grams of cocaine and paraphernalia associated with drug use and/or distribution, along with more than $3,000 in U.S. currency for forfeiture during the search warrant’s execution.

Anyone who might have information about illegal narcotics activity in Kaʻū, Kona, South Kohala or North Kohala is encouraged to call 808-329-“ZERO-ICE” or 808-329-0423. Those who want to report illegal narcotics activity in the Puna, South Hilo, North Hilo or Hāmākua can call 808-934-“VICE” or 808-934-8423.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.