KEALAKEKUA — A Kailua-Kona man pleaded not guilty to numerous drug and firearm charges Monday in Kona Circuit Court.
Che Herrera was charged with second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, ownership or possession of a firearm prohibited, two counts of possession of prohibited weapons and two counts of place to keep after police conducted a search of the man’s vehicle.
Around 11:25 a.m. Aug. 7, officers from the Area II Vice section, along with officers from the Criminal Intelligence Unit, contacted the occupants of a Dodge pickup parked along Alii Drive. After observing marijuana in the vehicle, officers arrested 37-year-old Alberta Herrera and 37-year-old Che Herrera, both most recently of Kailua-Kona.
During the investigation, officers also recovered 10.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale, 87 rounds of 9mm ammunition, eight rounds of .38 caliber ammunition and a .30 caliber carbine round. Also, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered. The street value of the narcotics is just over $2,100.
Alberta Herrera was released pending investigation.
A jury trial for Che Herrera was set for Dec. 10 in Judge Robert D.S. Kim’s 3rd Circuit Courtroom.
Kim maintained bail at $19,500. Herrera remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.