HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
CAPTAIN SAMUEL THOMAS
PHONE: 961-2255
AUGUST 26, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police made four separate arrests for various drug offenses, including possession of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” over the past two days in Hilo and Puna.

Two persons were charged, and two were released pending further investigation.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday (August 25, 2004), East Hawaii Vice Section officers arrested a 34-year-old Puna man after they found what is believed to be a clandestine “ice” lab and chemicals, as well as two marijuana plants, at a Pukalani Street address in the Ainaloa subdivision. Officers arrested the resident for promotion of a dangerous drug, promotion of a detrimental drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released pending further investigation.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, vice officers arrested a 34-year-old woman in Hilo for promotion of a dangerous drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia after finding a glass pipe with residue on her person during a search. The suspect was released pending further investigation.

At 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, vice officers executed a search warrant at a Pahoa residence and arrested a 31-year-old man after finding 2.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a magnetic key holder in his pickup truck. On Thursday, the officers charged the suspect, identified as Conrad Arriola, of an Old Government Road address, with promotion of a dangerous drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. They also seized $725 in cash and a 1992 Toyota pickup truck for forfeiture.

At 8:30 a.m. Thursday, vice officers executed a search warrant at a Hilo arcade and recovered 0.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a glass smoking pipe and drug paraphernalia. They arrested and charged a female suspect, identified as Kasey Masaoka, 22, of Hilo, with promotion of a dangerous drug and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.

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