HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO VICE SECTION
LIEUTENANT HENRY TAVARES
PHONE: 961-2253
JUNE 10, 1999
F-97141
MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island police seized a total of 18,701 marijuana plants ranging in height from seedlings to 8 feet during the past four days as part of its continuing “Counter-Cannabis Field Operation.”
The plants were seized in the South Hilo, North Hilo and Puna Districts.
Joining Big Island police officers in the marijuana eradication enforcement effort were personnel from the Honolulu Police Department, the State of Hawaii Department of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
In conjunction with the eradication mission, police executed a search warrant on a residence in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna and seized 29 marijuana plants and a small amount of dried processed marijuana.
No one was arrested nor were there any unusual incidents reported in the latest phase of the operation.
Lieutenant Henry Tavares 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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