A co-owner and manager of a downtown Hilo smoke shop has pleaded not guilty to 16 drug-related charges, 15 of them felonies.
Karl E. Stasik, 35, entered his pleas Tuesday before Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk.
Kai McGuire, Stasik’s attorney, argued there was no probable cause for the charges. He also requested the court free Stasik — whose bail was $271,000 — on supervised release, a form of cashless bail. Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Son didn’t object to the motion, which the judge granted.
Hawk ordered Stasik to return to court March 5 for a preliminary hearing.
Stasik was charged Friday with four counts of first-degree promotion of a harmful drug, two counts of second-degree promotion of a harmful drug, five counts of first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, four counts of promoting a controlled substance on or near a public park, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
The charges came after police and the state Narcotics Narcotics Enforcement Division executed a search warrant Feb. 15 at Stasik’s business, Hale Hookah at 60 Waianuenue Ave.
Officers confiscated 362 grams (about 12.7 ounces) of dried processed marijuana, 1,109 grams (about 2.4 pounds) of marijuana concentrate and a small amount of cocaine.
According to police, the search warrant and arrest were the result of an anonymous tip which sparked a monthslong investigation into the smoke shop and resulted in multiple controlled purchases of illegal marijuana products from the business.
The most serious charge, first-degree promotion of a harmful drug, is a Class A felony that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence.
Court records indicate Stasik has no prior criminal convictions in Hawaii.
Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Officer Scotty Aloy at (808) 961-2207 or scotty.aloy@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
