Ocean View Man Charged with Multiple Drug Offenses Following Kona Traffic Stop

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged a 68-year-old Ocean View man with multiple drug offenses following the execution of a narcotics search warrant on his vehicle on Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, 2025.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 5:24 p.m., Kona patrol officers conducted a traffic stop in Kailua-Kona on an orange 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse for operating a vehicle with expired safety inspection and registration tags.

Officers contacted the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Corey Branch, of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. While speaking with Branch, officers observed a marijuana smoking pipe inside the vehicle. Branch was subsequently arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant. During a search of his person, officers recovered approximately 1.9 grams of methamphetamine from his pocket.

After a narcotics canine alerted to the vehicle, it was towed and secured at the Kona Police Station pending the issuance of a search warrant.

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, Vice detectives executed the search warrant on the vehicle and recovered the following items:
• 11 grams of methamphetamine
• 7.3 grams of marijuana
• Narcotic-related paraphernalia

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Vice detectives charged Branch with the following offenses:
• Second-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• Third-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• Third-degree promoting a detrimental drug
• Driving without a license
• No motor vehicle insurance

Branch’s total bail was set at $74,100.

The Hawai‘i Police Department remains committed to working in partnership with the community to improve the quality of life for island residents and ensure a safer environment for all. Police encourage anyone with information about suspicious or illegal drug activity to contact the department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or the “ICE” hotline at (808) 329-0423.

Anyone with information related to this specific incident is asked to contact Officer Elijah Won of the Vice Section at (808) 326-4646, or via email at Elijah.Won@Hawaiipolice.gov.