41 year-old Kory Yoshio Maeda of Hilo was arrested and charged with offenses related to the attempted distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and oxycodone and possession of cocaine and heroin.

On September 13, officers contacted Maeda during a Hilo traffic stop. Following the execution of several narcotics search warrants, VICE officers recovered over 10 gross grams of methamphetamine, 16 oxycodone hydrochloride pills, 14 fentanyl pills, cocaine, heroin, various drug paraphernalia, and $4,600 in U.S. currency.

Maeda made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court earlier this week where his bail was maintained at $185,000.00. He was ordered to appear for a status hearing on October 4, 2023.

As the Complaint alleges, Maeda was charged with eleven offenses including Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempt to distribute one-eighth ounce or more of a dangerous drug, methamphetamine), two counts of Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (attempt to distribute any dangerous drug, fentanyl or oxycodone, in any amount), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess one-eighth ounce or more of a dangerous drug, methamphetamine), six counts of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of a dangerous drug, including fentanyl, oxycodone, cocaine, heroin, and/or methamphetamine) and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. The most serious charge, Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by either a twenty-year prison term or ten years probation and up to two years in jail.

The charges are merely allegations and the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The traffic stop was conducted by South Hilo Patrol and the felony drug investigation was handled by the Hawaiʻi County Police Department’s Area I VICE Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney