Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi – A Keaʻau couple has been arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses following a narcotics search warrant executed at their residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Friday, August 1, 2025.
According to a media release from the Hawaiʻi Police Department and an announcement from Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, Vice officers arrested Bruce Lee, 62, and Starlene Lee, 59, after recovering a significant amount of narcotics and other items from their home.
The seized items included:
- 106.9 grams (3.7 ounces) of methamphetamine
- 27.86 grams of cocaine
- 88.6 grams (3.12 ounces) of marijuana
- Various anabolic steroids
- Drug paraphernalia, including digital scales and zip packets
- More than $13,000 in U.S. currency
- Gold jewelry with an estimated value of more than $175,000
After conferring with the Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor’s Office, Bruce Lee was charged with a combination of felony and other offenses, including Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (possessing one ounce or more of methamphetamine), as well as two counts of Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree for the attempted distribution of both methamphetamine and cocaine. First-degree promoting a dangerous drug is a class A felony, which can carry a penalty of up to a twenty-year prison term. Starlene Lee was also charged with a number of offenses, as noted in the police media release.
Both Bruce and Starlene Lee had their bail set at $325,000. Starlene Lee posted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on August 28, 2025. Bruce Lee made his initial appearance in South Hilo District Court on Monday, August 4, where his bail was maintained. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on August 6, 2025.
The charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department encourages residents to report suspicious and illegal activity to the department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or the “ICE” hotline at (808) 934-8423. Anyone with information on this specific case is asked to contact Vice Division Officer Richard Matsumoto at (808) 961-2340.