HPP and HONOKAA, Hawaii: Helicopter fly-overs – akin to the operations once referred to as Green Harvest – have apparently assisted the Hawaii County Police in making two alleged marijuana operation arrests on the east side of the Big Island.
This media release was issued on Thursday:
Hawaiʻi Police Department vice officers arrested and charged two people after serving two unrelated search warrants this week. Both search warrants were the result of aerial observation and information and tips from the public.
Officers served the first search warrant Monday (August 1) at a home on 13th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna and the second Tuesday (August 2) at a home in Honokaʻa.
At the Paradise Park home, officers recovered 188 marijuana plants—119 of which were located on adjacent properties. The plants ranged from 1 to 5 feet in height. Also recovered were seven unregistered firearms and 252 prescription pills consisting of methadone, Diazepam, Hydrocodone and other pharmaceutical drugs.
Officers arrested 35-year-old Shonna Soares, who lives at that address. She was charged with commercial promotion of marijuana, promotion of a dangerous drug, promotion of a harmful drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and various firearm offenses. Her bail was set at $49,000. She was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending her initial court appearance.
Police are seeking 44-year-old Chad A. Soares Sr. in connection with that investigation. He is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-9, 200 pounds with brown eyes and black balding hair.
Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
In the Honokaʻa investigation, police served a search warrant at a home on Kahana Drive and discovered an indoor/outdoor marijuana operation. Officers recovered 595 marijuana plants 6 inches to 4 feet in height. Also recovered were approximately 10 pounds of dry processed marijuana, 25.5 grams of marijuana hashish, two unregistered firearms, a digital scale and indoor growing equipment.
Officers arrested 61-year-old Thomas Sullivan and charged him with with commercial promotion of marijuana, promotion of a harmful drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and firearm offenses. Sullivan’s bail was set at $39,000. He was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial court appearance.
Police thank the public for their tips that helped solve these two cases. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug operations by calling the Vice/Drug Tip Hotlines at 934-8423 in Hilo or 329-0423 in Kona.
In 2008, voters in Hawaii County passed the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Ordinance, but different interpretations of that ordinance have resulted in continued law enforcement fly-over operations and eradication. The raids have not always been conducted at the direction of the Hawaii County police, local authorities say. In 2010, county police officials told a room full of pro-marijuana activists in Volcano Village that the department has no money budgeted for marijuana eradication, and said they are not assisting with any current eradication efforts that may be underway on the island.
What about the marijuana operation in Kapaau? Why has THAT been allowed to continue? Because she is a NURSE??? The scam of seliing ILLEGALLY with a license is also a problem…many dealers are DOING BOTH, and ONLY REPORTING “LEGAL SALES” for tax income…the rest still is being sold in black markets…THIS is how a Kapaau resident has done it…she can hide illegal sales by using a legal method…and she has taken absolutely NO ACOUNTABILITY for her other violations!!!! Police seem to be protecting this indvidual, because she was REPORTED TO THE CAPTAIN!!! And her other violations are allowed to continue!
Anther guy recently died in Hawi as a result of illegally taking his wife’s “legal” medication…which she was GETTING FOR HIM and faking symptoms to get more medication, and left him to die when he OD’d on ehr medication…she was at LEAST guilty of negigence…she refused to take him to the hospital, even when he was totally unresponsive!
Crime Stoppers where there is SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT? You have GOT to be kidding!!!
People who grow dope should not be harassed. Go after the meth dealers and the gun runners.
Do you know that this herb is a cure for cancer?? The drug cartels (green harvest) just take all the plants and sell them anyway. They are very corrupt. People’s lives could be save. Guess who is behind the harassment from the helicopters? The pharmaceutical companies and feds. They can’t have people going into remission unless they are making money off of it. So they let people die and force them to go on chemo when there are much better natural solutions. This is harassment from the air and should be stopped immediately. Tax payers dollars we don’t have is going into this?? yes?? All an infringement on the innocent from the sky and it is wrong~ I don’t grow this but am awakened by a helicopter with tourist every fifteen minutes because of these crazies in the sky.
Do you know they have heat sensors that can detect what you are doing in your house?? So if you happen to be using the bathroom or taking a shower, they can see it all with their heat sensors. That is a gross infringement on our rights to privacy and they have no warranty to see you in your house or watch you from above. Tax payers dollars went into this when we cannot even afford to teach the children in school. Crazy~!~
MO…NO MO SMOKE
Does anyone know what’s happened to these guys…..did they get in trouble….what is the outcome ????
Through all of the years…this is how it goes? ………..and you were the smart one….red.