Posted at 4:48 p.m., Monday, December 17, 2007
Fugitive charged with drug, gun offenses on Big Island
Advertiser Staff
A Puna man arrested Friday after Big Island police seized 704 marijuana plants from a greenhouse in a warrant search of his Fern Acres subdivision residence on Lehua Road has been charged with commercial promotion of marijuana, promoting a detrimental drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and three firearm offenses.Oscar Martinez, 27, is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Martinez was wanted on an outstanding $11,000 Hawai'i warrant stemming from a 2004 bust for possession of 164 grams of "dried mushrooms" he was allegedly dealing at Coconut Island in Hilo.
Martinez is also wanted in Sonoma, Calif., on a "no bail" probation revocation warrant from a marijuana-related conviction.
Police found marijuana plants being grown at the Fern Acres in three separate stages. Some of the greenhouse plants were 5 feet tall, police said.
Officers also recovered a small amount of dried processed marijuana and an unregistered Colt AR15 assault rifle with ammunition.
