Bronwyn Kugle, an elementary school teacher in Kailua arrested last month on drug trafficking charges, will remain in federal custody while she seeks admission to a drug treatment program.

A Ka'elepulu Elementary School resource teacher, Kugle, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her last week. Her new attorney, Howard Luke, said Kugle will not seek pretrial release unless she is accepted by a court-approved drug treatment program.

Kugle and a co-defendant, Jesse Lee Badillo, were arrested Feb. 14 on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute 2.2 pounds of cocaine as well as 990 tablets of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. A federal grand jury later indicted the pair.

Badillo, 28, pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail last week.

Kugle's eligibility for release on bond has been complicated by the discovery of an unregistered handgun during a search of her home by drug agents.

She said she acquired the weapon because of fears that drug dealers were planning to "tax" her, or collect a portion of drug profits from her, according to government allegations.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi yesterday warned Luke that she was "concerned about the firearm" and about the fact that Kugle "has undergone drug treatment previously."

Reach Jim Dooley at jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com.