SWEEPS DESTROY 5K POT PLANTS

Multiple Police Departments, Feds Join In Eradication

Police say "Counter Cannabis" marijuana eradication missions were
flown over the Big Island last week.

According to Lt. Richard Sherlock of Hilo Vice Section, a total of
4,994 plants from seedlings to 8-feet in height were uprooted "mostly
in upper Puna and some in lower Puna," on Aug. 17 and 18.

Sherlock said plants were removed "from commercial and vacant lands."

Lt. Miles Chong of Kona Vice Section said that "over 500 plants" in
the same size range were pulled in West Hawaii during a half-day
mission Aug. 19.

"We concentrated on the South Kona, North Kona and South Kohala
districts," Chong said.

No arrests were made.

"As usual, it was an interagency mission," Sherlock said. He added
that support was provided by the Honolulu, Maui and Kauai police
departments, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Hawaii National Guard's Counterdrug Support Program. Kauai police
assisted only on the East side. Sherlock said the other counties'
officers provided support, including rappelling, to Big Island police.

Two private helicopters, plus one from the DEA and one from National
Guard, were used, Sherlock and Chong said.

Funding came from the Big Island's $159,000 portion of a statewide
marijuana eradication grant provided by the federal government in the
fiscal year that ended June 30, Sherlock said.

Voters last November passed a law making adult personal use of
marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority. The "Peaceful Sky"
ordinance also stipulates that the County Council "shall not support
the acceptance of any funds for the marijuana eradication program."
There is no eradication earmark in the current county budget.

"This is leftover money that was secured prior to ... the
'lowest-priority' initiative," Sherlock said. "When ... the ballot
(initiative) was passed, we didn't do any more eradication until we
received clearance to use the leftover funds."

Sherlock said he didn't know if the decision to use the leftover money
was made by Chief Harry Kubojiri or if the council or Mayor Billy
Kenoi were consulted. Kubojiri was off-island Thursday. An early
afternoon call to his cell phone was not returned in time for this
story. Both Sherlock and Chong said that in accordance with the new
law, no plots of 24 or fewer plants on private property were
eradicated. Chong said that two patches of fewer than 24 plants were
pulled up on public land in West Hawaii.

Sherlock said that the department received three complaints about the
raids on Aug. 17 and two on Aug. 18. Chong said that three complaints
were fielded Aug. 19.

The law requires a more detailed written report from police to the
council by Sept. 18.

"The other details we'll give the County Council are the numbers of
plants and from what areas, the number of patches in those areas and
such," Sherlock said. The report will also detail specific complaints
and location of callers, as well as the exact West Hawaii plant count.

Sherlock said there is money remaining for future eradication.