Posted on: Monday, February 14, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Kona man faces drug, gun charges
Advertiser Staff
A 45-year-old Kailua, Kona, man was charged Friday with drug and firearm offenses after search warrants served at several locations yielded evidence of a crystal methamphetamine distribution operation, police said.
Nathan S. Abe was arrested Wednesday evening at the Keahole-Kona International Airport after Hawai'i County police searched him and his car. Police seized packets of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during the searches, police said.
As part of the investigation, police searched three other locations in the Kailua, Kona, area. Police recovered 42.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, marijuana seeds, a glass pipe, gram scales and a gun, police said. A car and $601 in cash were also seized.
Abe was charged with one count of unlawful trafficking of methamphetamine, five counts of promoting a dangerous drug, one count of promoting a detrimental drug, five counts of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, four firearms offenses and one count of obstructing governmental operations.
Abe was released from custody after posting $56,500 bail, police said.
Four special agents will be added to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's force in Hawai'i, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said.
"The addition of four new special agents for Hawai'i will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our three-pronged drug-control strategy that provides a balance of treatment, prevention and law enforcement," Aiona said in a statement Wednesday.
Last February, Gov. Linda Lingle had met with DEA Deputy Director Michele Leonhart in Washington to discuss the state's need for additional federal assistance in efforts to control the manufacture and sale of drugs in Hawai'i.
A study-abroad vessel that had stopped almost two weeks ago for repairs and inspections at Honolulu Harbor has passed muster and set sail for Asia.
The Semester at Sea ship, a floating classroom that takes students to ports around the world, departed Honolulu on Saturday for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The 700 college students on board flew from Honolulu to Hong Kong and Shanghai Friday to continue their studies. The students are scheduled to reboard the ship in India.
The U.S. Coast Guard and other authorities approved the vessel to sail, officials with the Semester at Sea program said.
The 591-foot Explorer, carrying 990 passengers and crew members, limped into Honolulu Harbor on Jan. 31 after navigating more than a week's worth of rough seas. The ship docked for repairs and inspections because a wave had shattered the glass on the ship's bridge and three of the four engines had shut down early on Jan. 26.
The wave also short-circuited the electronic instruments used to steer the ship, forcing the crew to use a compass and navigational charts instead.
The incident occurred about 650 miles south of Adak, Alaska, in the Aleutian Islands and about 1,300 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Police on Saturday charged a 21-year-old woman with seven counts of credit-card theft, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pumehana Kido, who has no permanent local address, is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. She was arrested Friday at 4:30 p.m. on the 3300 block of Sierra Drive with Kulii Lanuai Kido, 19, and Chanthay Khounekeo, 24, both of Ahe Street in Palolo, and Raelene Kiilani Viela, 24, no local address. The latter three people were charged with second-degree hindering prosecution and released after each posting $1,500 bail.
A 30-year-old man who was arrested Friday morning at Kewalo Basin for possession of a loaded gun was turned over to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms agents yesterday for federal prosecution.
The man, who has no local address, was inside a car parked illegally, police said. Officers saw a handgun near the driver's seat. The man was arrested at 8:30 a.m. for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
He was turned over to ATF agents at 9 a.m. yesterday.
Four agents added to DEA efforts here
Semester at Sea ship sets sail
Woman allegedly stole credit cards
Man to face federal charges
