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Vice officers arrest seven in two separate investigations 01-29-03

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO VICE SECTION
LIEUTENANT HENRY J. TAVARES
PHONE: 961-2340
JANUARY 29, 2003
H-36621/H-36343

MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo Vice Section officers arrested seven persons and seized more than three ounces of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” and other drugs in two separate investigations.

The confiscated drugs had a street value of more than $13,000.

Police Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna said the arrests were part of the department’s “ongoing efforts to curtail illegal drug activity in Hawaii County.”

“We are continuing efforts to investigate, identify, arrest and prosecute suspects involved in trafficking dangerous drugs,” Mahuna said. “And wherever possible, we will seek federal prosecution of major distributors, which generally results in more severe penalties.”

About 3 p.m. Tuesday (January 28, 2003), vice officers obtained search warrants on two vehicles parked at the Puhi Bay parking lot in Hilo after a narcotics canine signaled the presence of illegal drugs.

During the search, vice officers recovered 87.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 0.6 grams of crack cocaine, 19.7 grams of marijuana, $9,000 in cash and three handguns — a .22-, a .25- and a 32-caliber.

They also arrested four suspects, identified as Stacey Kuamoo, also known as Stacey Bohol, 30, of Todd Avenue; Henry Kuamoo, also known as Henry Bohol, 27, of Puumaile; Johanna Afoy, 43, of Mt. View; and Amber Whitehead, 20, of no permanent address.

Police said they will seek federal prosecution of Stacey Kuamoo, who remains in custody. They are also discussing with federal prosecutors the cases of the other three suspects, who have been released pending further investigation.

In an earlier action Monday, vice officers executed a search warrant at about 10 a.m. and raided a residence at 949 Kupulau Road in Hilo. They recovered 3.5 grams of powder and crack cocaine, a handgun, $1,174 in cash and illegal drug paraphernalia.

They also arrested Jaewin Gonsalves, 29, Mary Silva-Sampaio, 21, and Conrad Medeiros, 24. Medeiros is being held on an unrelated warrant, and Silva-Sampaio and Gonsalves were released pending the results of the crime laboratory’s drug analysis.

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