36-year-old Omar Gonzales, of Honoka‘a, has been arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses after recovering marijuana and cocaine during the execution of a search warrant on Friday morning, January 27, 2023.

Officers from the Area II Vice Section served a search warrant on a residence off of Honoka‘a-Waipi‘o Road in the Hāmākua district, where they 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. Gonzales, who was at the residence at the time, was subsequently arrested.

Area II Vice officers continued their investigation and after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office that afternoon, Gonzales was charged with:

• one count first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug
• one count first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• one count 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 after posting bond and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in South Kohala 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 the islandwide Crime Stoppers number 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.