HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
CAPTAIN SAMUEL THOMAS
PHONE: 961-2251
JUNE 10, 2004
H-93980

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police uprooted 1,999 marijuana plants Wednesday and Thursday (June 9 and 10) during a marijuana eradication operation in East Hawaii.

In addition, they arrested a 46-year-old Puna man for reckless endangering after he allegedly launched two projectiles at a Hawaii Air National Guard helicopter taking part in the operation.

During the Counter Cannabis Field Operation, East Hawaii Vice Section officers confiscated the marijuana plants, ranging in height from seedlings to five feet tall, in Puna and South Hilo. They executed a search warrant in Hawaiian Acres subdivision, which resulted in the confiscating of 71 marijuana plants, but made no arrests.

During the operation, Hawaii Air National Guard pilots reported that two unknown type of projectiles were launched at a helicopter conducting reconnaissance over the Leilani Estates subdivision in Puna.

The residence where the projectiles were launched was identified and Puna patrol officers were summoned. Within minutes, the officers found the suspect still in the area. The suspect, identified as Harry E. Williams, told police he was celebrating the late President Ronald Reagan’s funeral.

After police found fireworks rockets in the vicinity, Williams was arrested for reckless endangering and is currently being held in the Hilo police cellblock.

East Hawaii Vice Section detectives are conferring with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on possible federal prosecution.

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