Meth trafficking arrest in downtown Kona

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A man was arrested on suspicion of meth trafficking and other drug charges Friday afternoon in downtown Kailua-Kona.

A man was arrested on suspicion of meth trafficking and other drug charges Friday afternoon in downtown Kailua-Kona.

Vice Section officers served a search warrant against James Busche, 54, of Kailua-Kona. They searched his person and property on Alii Drive, according to police reports.

Officers found “92.7 grams of a crystalline substance, 7.8 grams of a dried green leafy substance, paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use and $632 in cash,” according to the release.

Busche was taken to the Kona cellblock while detectives continued the investigation.

At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, he was charged with first-degree meth trafficking, promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $261,000.

On Monday he appeared in District Court, with Judge Margaret Masunaga presiding.

He was represented by public defender Joanna Sokolow, while prosecution was undertaken by Alicia Mears.

Busche’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.