Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 33-year-old Ralphlyn Quitugua, of Kailua-Kona, with multiple drug offenses after recovering crystal methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana during the execution of a search warrant on Tuesday morning, May 23, 2023.
Officers from the Area II Vice Section served a search warrant on a residence off of Kealaka‘a Street in the Kona area, where they recovered 57.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 19.1 grams of heroin, 41.8 grams of marijuana, and paraphernalia associated with drug use and/or distribution, along with more than $1,000 in US currency for forfeiture. Quitugua, who was at the residence at the time, was subsequently arrested.
Area II Vice officers continued their investigation and after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Tuesday afternoon, charged Quitugua with:
- Two counts first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
- One count promoting a controlled substance in/or/near school or park
- One count second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
- One count first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug
- One count third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
Her bail was set at $31,000.
Quitugua was released after posting bond and is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Kona District Court.
Citizens who have information on illegal narcotics activity in west Hawai‘i in the districts of Kaʻū, Kona, South Kohala, and North Kohala, are encouraged to call (808) 329-“ZERO-ICE”, (808) 329-0423. Those who wish to report illegal narcotics activity in east Hawai‘i in the districts of Puna, South Hilo, North Hilo, and Hāmākua, may call (808) 934-“VICE”, (808) 934-8423.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. 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.