MEDIA RELEASE

Thanks to complaints from the public and calls to the Police Department’s Ice/Drug Tip Hotline, a police investigation has led to a raid on a drug distribution operation in West Hawaiʻi.

Detectives from the Area II Vice Section served a search warrant Friday (July 6) on a house on Malino Place in the Kona Highlands subdivision, where they recovered 17.2 grams of methamphetamine, .2 grams of crack cocaine, 2.2 grams of heroin and 4 morphine pills. Police also recovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver, paraphernalia associated with drug use and distribution, and $1,000 dollars in cash.

Two men and two women were arrested at the scene and later charged with various offenses.

Herbert Smith, 51, who lives at the house, was charged with seven counts of promoting a dangerous drug, one count of meth trafficking, five counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and two weapons offenses. His bail was set at $315,000.

Alyssa Anderson, 23, who also lives at the house, was charged with one count each of promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. Her bail was set at $4,000.

Sidney Biber, 25, of Kailua-Kona was charged with seven counts of promoting a dangerous drug, one count of meth trafficking, five counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and a weapons offense. Her bail was set at $45,000.

Leonard Karpik, 34, of Ocean View was charged with two counts each of promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $40,000.

Anderson was released from police custody after posting bail. Smith, Biber and Karpik were held at the Kona police cellblock until their initial court appearance Monday morning (July 9).

Police encourage the public to report suspected drug activity by calling the Ice/Drug Tip Hotlines at 329- “ZERO-ICE” (329-0423) in West Hawaiʻi or 934- “VICE” (934-8423) in East Hawaiʻi. Community participation helps police better serve the public.