KAILUA-KONA — A traffic stop during the weekend led to the recovery of a loaded gun as well as thousands of dollars worth of heroin and methamphetamine, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
The incident occurred at 9:28 p.m. Sunday when a Hawaii Police Department officer stopped a motorist at Hale Makai Place for an alleged traffic violation.
When a firearm was seen inside the vehicle, the motorist, later identified as 44-year-old John Patrick Rapozo, was taken into custody. A search warrant for the car was granted.
The search yielded 7.8 grams of heroin, valued at about $1,600, and 5.7 ounces of methamphetamine, valued at about $6,800, according to police Maj. Robert Wagner.
Wagner said the firearm was a loaded 9 mm handgun.
Rapozo is charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony drug offense.
He made his initial court appearance Tuesday in Kona District Court. Bail was maintained at $80,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.