Police Charge Kea‘au Couple Following Narcotic Search Warrant

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged a Kea‘au couple with numerous drug offenses following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at their residence in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision at 6:45 a.m. on Friday August 1, 2025.

Vice officers arrested 62-year-old Bruce Lee and 59-year-old Starlene Lee after recovering the following from their residence:
• 3.7 ounces (106.9 grams) of methamphetamine
• 3.12 ounces of marijuana (88.6 grams)
• just under 1 ounce (27.86 grams) of cocaine
• various narcotic related paraphernalia including digital scales and clean used zip packet
• various anabolic steroids

Also seized for forfeiture was more than $13,000 U.S. currency and gold jewelry with an estimated value of more than $175,000.

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office, Vice detectives charged the couple with the following offenses:
• Two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• Two counts of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• Third-degree promotion of a harmful drug
• Third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug

Bruce and Starlene Lee each had a total bail of $325,000. Starlene Lee posted bail, and Bruce Lee’s initial court appearance was on Monday afternoon, August 4, in South Hilo District Court.

The Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to working cooperatively with the community to improve the quality of life of island residents, and provide a safer environment for everyone. Police encourage residents to report suspicious and illegal activity to the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or the “ICE” hotline at (808) 934-8423. Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Officer Richard Matsumoto of the Vice Division at (808) 961-2340, or via email at Richard.Matsumoto@HawaiiPolice.gov.