KAILUA-KONA — A 60-year-old Hilo man is in police custody after a “narcotics operation” at a county park in Hilo.
On Friday, officers and detectives from the Hawaii Police Department’s Area I Vice, Area I Criminal Investigations, and South Hilo Community Policing sections conducted an “undercover operation” at Kealoha Beach Park.
Police set up the operation after receiving complaints of illegal drug activities in the area, and identified Rodney Keaweehu as the suspect.
At 7:50 a.m. on Friday, police arrested Keaweehu. Police say that upon executing a search warrant on his mo-ped, officers reportedly recovered 72.5 grams — or a little over 2.5 ounces — of marijuana packaged for distribution and sale.
Keaweehu was charged with first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, according to police.
The charge of second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug was for Keaweehu distributing narcotics while in a County park.
Keaweehu’s bail was set at $4,500. He is slated to make his initial court appearance today.