State v. Park

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

MIZUHA, J.

Defendant appeals from a conviction of a charge of unlawful possession of a narcotic drug. The sole question for decision in this case is whether the search of defendant-appellant’s handbag in which marijuana cigarettes were discovered was incidental to a lawful arrest.

Officer Joseph Saromines, while assigned as an undercover police officer with the Honolulu Police Department, was an invited guest at 635 Ahakea Street. While at said address, he observed a gambling game in operation. Officer Saromines effected an arrest on all persons in a room at the above…