Man Arrested and Charged Following Drug Search Warrant in Kona

A Kailua-Kona man was arrested and charged this week with a dozen drug and firearm offenses after a multi-agency search warrant was executed on a parked vehicle in Kona.

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 1:20 p.m., Vice West officers, in coordination with federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents conducted an operation and executed a search warrant on a vehicle parked at a business establishment on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona.

As a result of the search, 45-year-old Luis Pagano Colon was arrested after the following items were recovered from the vehicle:

• 133.07 grams of cocaine (approximately 4.7 ounces)
• 31.48 grams of methamphetamine (approximately 1.1 ounces)
• A firearm with a magazine containing 13 live rounds
• Shotgun shells located in the trunk

Further investigation led to the recovery of numerous additional live rounds of ammunition from a related residence. 

Additionally, more than $2,700 in U.S. currency was seized for asset forfeiture purposes, along with 1,740 grams of marijuana (approximately 3.84 pounds) recovered from the residence.

On Friday, April 24, after consulting with the Hawai’i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, police charged Luis Pagano Colon with the following offenses:

• (3 counts) First-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• First-degree promoting a detrimental drug
• Second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana
• Ownership or possession prohibited
• (2 counts) Possession of prohibited weapons
• Place to keep ammunition
• Place to keep a pistol or revolver
• Loaded firearm on a public highway
• Firearm in the commission of a felony drug offense

His total bail was set at $288,000.

The Hawai‘i Police Department remains committed to improving the quality of life for island residents and ensuring a safer community. Police encourage anyone with information about illegal drug activity to call the non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or the ICE hotline at (808) 329-0423.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact Vice Division Detective Chandler Nacino at (808) 326-4646, ext.312, or email chandler.nacino@hawaiipolice.gov.