Early on September 23, a Kealakekua man found himself behind bars after a car crash led to a substantial drug bust. Hawaii Island police apprehended 29-year-old Omar Avina-Becerra, charging him with multiple traffic and drug offenses. Avina-Becerra and a female passenger were involved in the crash at Kaiwi Street and Ma’a Way in Kailua-Kona, during which over six pounds of various drugs were eventually discovered. Neither of the vehicle's occupants was injured during the incident.
It was around 1:35 a.m. when Kona Patrol officers were called to the scene of the single-vehicle accident. A search resulted in the finding of 1,176 grams of marijuana and 727 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, which happened to quickly fall outside the vehicle on the ground. Additionally, authorities found 15 grams of cocaine on Avina-Becerra, along with $3,900 in cash. The 2007 Honda sedan involved in the crash was subsequently secured by the Kona Police Station for further investigation, according to the Hawai‘i Police Department.
A search warrant executed on September 25 on the seized vehicle by the Area II Vice Section turned up more illicit substances, including additional marijuana, marijuana concentrate, cocaine, and MDMA (Ecstasy). These discoveries have further amplified the gravity of the charges brought against Avina-Becerra. He now faces five counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, alongside a slew of other drug-related charges, as well as traffic infractions like driving without a license and lacking motor vehicle insurance.
After the investigation wrapped up on September 25, Avina-Becerra was charged and his bail was set at $155,000. He was scheduled for his first court appearance that same day in Kona District Court, beginning the legal process to hold him accountable for his actions.
