KEALAKEKUA — The man accused of trying to smuggle drugs concealed in body cavities through Kona International Airport on Dec. 8 waived his preliminary hearing Monday.
KEALAKEKUA — The man accused of trying to smuggle drugs concealed in body cavities through Kona International Airport on Dec. 8 waived his preliminary hearing Monday.
James Bruno, 28, of Oceanview, Calif., is charged with first-degree distributing meth, first-degree promoting a dangerous drug, tampering with evidence, second-degree criminal tampering and possession of drug paraphernalia.
By waiving the hearing, Bruno allowed the case to proceed directly to Circuit Court.
He is to appear in front of Judge Melvin Fujino at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 24 in the Division 4 courtroom.
Bruno allegedly flew into Hawaii from Los Angeles, along with Kellen Foster, 32, of Kailua-Kona.
After the two men disembarked at the airport, they got into a van with Jessica Tsibulski, 21, also of Kailua-Kona.
Police pulled the van over near the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway, where a narcotics dog indicated drugs were inside the vehicle.
All three were arrested. Both men were later taken to Kona Community Hospital for a search. On their trip there, Bruno allegedly smeared 40.8 grams of tar heroin on the walls of the transport van.
The body search of Bruno also located 50.3 grams of tar heroin and 12.7 grams of meth, according to police.
Tsibulski is charged with third-degree promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. She is out on bond.
Foster was released pending investigation of a charge of criminal conspiracy.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.