HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE CHIEF LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
OCTOBER 17, 2003
MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna announced the arrests of multiple individuals on the Big Island of Hawaii on Federal drug charges. The operation called “Operation Shave Ice” was conducted on the Big Island on Tuesday, October 14, 2003. The execution of over 20 search warrants came as a result of investigation by the Hawaii Police Department and Hawaii HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) of the street level distribution of crystal methamphetamine (ice).
Assisting the Hawaii Police Department were agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Hawaii National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaii Air National Guard, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Honolulu Police Department, and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The operation occurred simultaneously on both the Hilo and Kona sides of the Big Island.
The Police Chief and United States Attorney Edward Kubo both related that the quantity of ice being sold throughout the Big Island needed immediate enforcement efforts in an attempt to respond to the Big Island’s ice epidemic. Chief Mahuna related that by combining forces and using the best investigative talents of the Hawaii HITDA area group, which is a joint law enforcement task force combined of investigators from local, federal, and state agencies in Hawaii, the identification and dismantling of these large ice organizations were more effective by utilizing state-of-the-art wire tapping equipment. Utilizing active Federal wire tapping laws, HIDTA was able to determine that several organizations were responsible for bringing pounds and pounds of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine on a regular basis to the Big Island and Oahu. It was determined that these drugs were sent from California, Nevada, and Arizona. It should also be noted that these drug trafficking suppliers were financially profiting from our State’s “ice” epidemic.
As a result of this operation, a total of five drug trafficking organizations will no longer be in the business of trafficking crystal methamphetamine to the citizens of the state of Hawaii. The first wave of Operation Shave Ice began on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, with the execution of 21 search warrants in Kona and Hilo. There were also arrest warrants for approximately 19 individuals. 12 individuals were arrested while 2 individuals were already in state custody. Additionally, one individual in California was arrested. As of today, four warrants for individuals are still outstanding. The investigation revealed that these individuals on the Big Island were importing ice and cocaine via airlines, ships, and the mail.
The below listed persons were arrested on Federal indictments on one or more of the following charges: Conspiracy to Distribute, Money Laundering, and Federal Communication Violations
Josue Cruz
200 Chong Street
Hilo, Hawaii
Burton Patao
28-1716 Stable Camp Road
Honomu, Hawaii
Paige Patnaude
131 Uluwai Street
Hilo, Hawaii
George Pua, Jr.
180 Chong Street
Hilo, Hawaii
Jeffery Silva
248 Chong Street
Hilo, Hawaii
Keith Stancil
Henele Street
Mountain View, Hawaii
Greg Tavares
218-B Lawelawe Circle
Hilo, Hawaii
Kuulei Ancheta
NPA
Hilo, Hawaii
Jasen “Fluff” Antonio
Bethany Antonio
74-971 Lealea Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Mitchell Mokuahi
Kohanaiki Road
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Jerod Antonio
Monica Callajhan
74-5056 Palani Road
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Theodore Kahui Casuga
Milolii Village
South Kona, Hawaii
Aaron Keola Akina
78-6725 Makolea Street
Kahaluu Apartments
Clevis Mahi
73-1175 Mahilani Drive
Kona Highlands Subdivision
Albert Pi
74-5070 Kumukani Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Derick Vincent
Hilo, Hawaii
Christopher Baker
Hilo, Hawaii
Raylynne Mata
73-1216 Kaalele Street
North Kona, Hawaii
The Marvin Postadan organization is alleged to import from California approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine and 10 pounds of ice per month.
This investigation was outstanding in showing the joint cooperation between all law enforcement agencies in Hawaii HIDTA, and it shows that through cooperative efforts large drug trafficking organizations can be successfully arrested and prosecuted on a Federal level.
Chief Mahuna stated that special appreciation should go out to Edward Kubo, Jr., U.S. Attorney, for his support and efforts in prosecuting these individuals on a Federal level and for his aggressive and effective role in the war against ice in Hawaii.
