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Marijuana Sweep 03/19/99

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO VICE SECTION
LIEUTENANT HENRY TAVARES
PHONE: 961-2253
MARCH 19, 1999
F-88959

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police Friday (March 19, 1999) seized 1,887 marijuana plants ranging in height from seedlings to 2 feet as part of their continuing “Counter-Cannabis Field Operation.”

The plants were seized in the Paradise Park, Kapoho, Fern Forest and Hawaiian Acres areas of the Puna District.

Friday’s haul brings the total number of plants seized to 18,552 during the four-day operation.

Joining Big Island police in the eradication enforcement effort were personnel from the Maui and Honolulu police departments, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the State Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.

Acting on a search warrant in the Eden Roc subdivision of Puna, police arrested two men for a variety of drug offenses after they seized 335 marijuana plants, 149.4 grams of dried marijuana, 4.5 grams of cocaine and 3 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

The suspects, identified as Derrick Huddy, 37, of Eden Roc, and Edward Gali, 47, of no permanent address, were arrested on two counts of commercial promotion, one count of promoting a detrimental drug and two counts of promoting a dangerous drug. They were released pending further investigation.

Lieutenant Henry Tavares, head of the Hilo Vice Section, said: “We would like to thank the general public for its understanding and patience during the four days of our marijuana eradication mission. We want to encourage residents to continue providing information on areas where marijuana plants are being grown.

“The police will be continuing their efforts to keep our Big Island community safe from illicit drugs and the crime and violence associated with it.

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