HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO VICE SECTION
LIEUTENANT HENRY TAVARES
PHONE: 961-2253
APRIL 5, 1999
F-90668/PN
MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island police Monday (April 5, 1999) seized 4,769 marijuana plants ranging in height from seedlings to 5 feet as part of their continuing “Counter-Cannabis Field Operation.”
The plants were seized in the Fern Forest, Paradise Park, Hawaiian Acres, Kapoho and Shipman Industrial Park areas of the Puna District.
Joining Big Island police in the eradication enforcement effort were personnel from the Honolulu and Maui 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, officers also arrested Moses Hoomanawanui, 27, of a Hilo address. Hoomanawanui was arrested for commercial promotion of marijuana, promoting a detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia after he was found to be in possession of 58 marijuana plants, a half-ounce of dried marijuana and marijuana growing paraphernalia. He was released pending further investigation
Anyone with noise complaints or comments regarding police marijuana eradication operations may call the Hilo Vice Section office at 961-2258.
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