BIG ISLE POLICE CITED FOR ANTI-'ICE' EFFORT

The Hawaii County Police Department received a national law enforcement
award for its part in "Operation Shave Ice," an anti-crystal
methamphetamine operation.

The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program presented the
award Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C., to Big Island police Detective Ernest
Saldua and Chief Lawrence Mahuna.

The November 2003 operation resulted in the indictment of more than 60
people and the execution of 50 search warrants on the Big Island, Oahu,
California, Arizona and Nevada, police said. More than 9 1/2 pounds of
crystal methamphetamine, $510,000 in cash, $75,000 in assets and 15
firearms were seized.

Also taking part in the operation were the FBI, Honolulu Police Department,
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms, the Coast Guard, Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The operation dismantled four separate lines of supply into Hawaii, police
said.

National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program

www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/hidta.htm