HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
WEST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
CAPTAIN ROBERT P. HICKCOX
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 263
MAY 27, 2005
MEDIA RELEASE
Police have arrested and charged a Kona man with a variety of drug offenses after making a routine traffic stop in which they caught him allegedly trying to conceal a Ziploc bag of crystal methamphetamine.
The suspect was identified as John Nobriga, 35, of Kailua-Kona. Nobriga was charged with three counts of promoting dangerous drugs, two counts of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of obstructing government operations and numerous traffic offenses.
The suspect’s bail was set at $50,200. After appearing in court, he is currently being held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo.
At 2:45 a.m. Thursday (May 24, 2005), Kona patrol officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle on Alii Drive for traffic violations. The officers arrested Nobriga and seized his vehicle after seeing him allegedly trying to conceal a packet containing a crystalline substance later determined to be 4.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice.” In addition, they recovered $4,980 in currency for possible forfeiture.
During the arrest, the suspect allegedly screamed at the officers and threatened them.
The next day, West Hawaii Vice Section officers obtained a search warrant and discovered a glass jar containing more “ice” with a gross weight of 83.9 grams.
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