Traffic Stop in Kapa`au Results in Drug Charges
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.