A Hilo grand jury returned separate methamphetamine trafficking indictments Wednesday against two local men that could result in life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for both.
A Hilo grand jury returned separate methamphetamine trafficking indictments Wednesday against two local men that could result in life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for both.
A four-count indictment charges 52-year-old Dorbert K. Correa of Pahoa with first-degree meth trafficking, third-degree possession of a dangerous drug, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license.
And an unrelated, three-count indictment charges 39-year-old Cory George Young of Hilo, also known as Cory Wong-Yuen, with first-degree meth trafficking, attempted first-degree meth trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Correa, who was on a prison furlough for a previous conviction on drug and firearms offenses, was arrested June 20 after a search warrant was executed on his vehicle on Banyan Drive in Hilo early that afternoon.
According to court documents, a backpack was found that contained 338 grams, almost 12 ounces, of a crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, also known as “ice.” A scale with meth on its platform and base, as well as unused ziplock packets, also were recovered, documents state.
The estimated street value of the drug, according to police, is $15,000.
Correa was one of two people ordered by Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara on Jan. 11, 2013, to permanently vacate a Kaumana Drive home prosecutors described as a “drug house” in a civil nuisance abatement action brought by County Prosecutor Mitch Roth.
A girlfriend of Correa’s told police in May 2012 that Correa distributed “large quantities of crystal methamphetamine” and had “four long guns and one pistol,” according to a court document. The document stated Correa had 10 prior felony convictions and was legally ineligible to own or possess firearms.
Young was arrested after officers responded to a report of a reckless driver on Kawailani Street at about 10 a.m. June 8, 2015.
An officer spotted Young’s silver Suzuki Sidekick stopped on Komohana Street near Puainako Street straddling two lanes, backing up traffic, with Young apparently asleep at the wheel, according to court documents. Officers noted “an odor” coming from the vehicle or Young and a drug dog alerted them to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
A search warrant was obtained and 66.2 grams (2.33 ounces) of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine was found in a black fanny pack near the car’s center console, documents state. Also found was a digital scale, a scoop spoon, straws, scrapers, empty ziplock packets and less than an ounce of marijuana, according to documents.
Police estimated the street value of the drug at $2,500.
Young, who was sentenced to probation for a previous felony drug case, has another felony drug case pending in Hilo and a felony drug and firearms case pending in Kona.
Lt. Sherry Bird of the Kona Vice Section said most of the methamphetamine on the Big Island is manufactured in Mexico and imported here.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve busted a meth (laboratory) here,” she said. “It’s not easy to get the precursor (to methamphetamine). People can’t get their hands on enough ephedrine.”
First-degree meth trafficking and attempted first-degree meth trafficking are Class A felonies usually carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years upon conviction. Prosecutors, however, are seeking an extended term of imprisonment for both, which, if convicted of those charges, would be life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.
The indictment documents describe both as “persistent offenders” and state “an extended term of imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the public.”
In addition, Correa’s indictment describes him as “a professional criminal” who “has knowingly engaged in criminal activity as a major source of livelihood; or … has substantial income or resources not explained to be derived from a source other than a criminal activity.”
Both men are in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.