Hilo man charged after police seize nearly 2 pounds of cocaine

HAWAII ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hilo man is facing multiple drug charges after Hawaii Island police seized nearly 2 pounds of cocaine during a vice investigation.

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Police arrested 45-year-old Michael Bratt on July 25 at a public park in Hilo following an operation by the Hawaii Police Department’s Vice Division.

Investigators executed search warrants on Bratt’s vehicle and a bag recovered during the investigation. Police said they found more than 86 grams of cocaine in the vehicle and another 711 grams in the bag.

In total, detectives seized about 1.75 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $79,000, police said.

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Bratt was charged with four counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and one count of promoting a controlled substance in a public park.

His bail was set at $500,000. Bratt made his initial court appearance Monday in South Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone with information about the investigation to contact Detective Keith Simeona at (808) 961-2340.

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