Full Notification

Hawai’i Police Department
Area I Vice Section
Acting Lieutenant Kelly Moniz
Phone: (808) 961-2259
Report No.: 24-08099

Media Release

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged a 48-year-old Hilo man with numerous drug and firearm offenses.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Vice Section arrested Chico Martines, of Hilo, following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at his residence near Hilo Intermediate School in Hilo.

During the search of the residence, police recovered 3.9 ounces (111 grams) of methamphetamine along with various methamphetamine related paraphernalia, 2.8 ounces (81 grams) of marijuana, 2.4 ounces (70 grams) of marijuana concentrate, a semi-automatic pistol with obliterated serial number, ammunition, and $1,700. in US currency.

After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Area I Vice Section detectives charged Martines with the following offenses:

•        Two (2) counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug

•        Two (2) counts of first-degree promotion of a harmful drug

•        Promotion of a controlled substance near a school

•        Two (2) counts of ownership prohibited

•        Possession of prohibited weapon (pistol magazine with a capacity greater than  

10)

• Alteration of identification marks prohibited (firearm with obliterated serial

         number)

Total bail for Martines was set at $560,000.  Martines is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Friday afternoon, September 6, 2024, in South Hilo District Court.

Martines previously served time in federal prison for an unrelated charge and was released under the supervision of the federal probation office which has yet to request a violation of his supervised release.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Detective Keith Simeona of the Area I Vice Section at (808) 961-2340, or via email at [email protected]