Posted on: Thursday, November 8, 2001
Big Island police make 138 gambling arrests
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
A 22-month undercover operation by the Hawai'i County Police Department has resulted in more than 100 gambling arrests in the South Hilo and Puna Districts.
A total of 138 arrests based on 357 suspected gambling and gambling-related offenses resulted from the undercover operation, which began in December 1999.
The cases have been forwarded to the Hawai'i County prosecutor's office for further disposition.
The operation began as an undercover sting operation conducted by Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives. The operation consisted of using business fronts to purchase stolen items.
That operation resulted in the recovery of $170,526 in stolen property and the return of $153,500 in property to its owners.
The stolen property included guns, electronic equipment, mechanical and woodworking tools, fishing equipment, camera equipment and vehicles.
A total of 55 arrests based on suspected theft and related offenses were made during the project , which ended June 30. Another 30 arrests are expected after grand jury indictments are processed.
Also, 52 drug cases were initiated.
During the investigation, the Hilo detectives were approached about setting up gambling operations.
The Hilo Vice Section took over gambling investigation. The investigation uncovered several gambling operations conducted at both private residences and business establishments.
Several business establishments were involved in gambling operations. They included Reyn's Repair, an engine repair shop on Leilani Street, and T's Exchange, a computer repair shop on Keawe Street, set up as fronts by the police in the undercover operation.
Arrests also were made for gambling activities at private residences on Uilani Street and King Kamehameha Street in the 'Ainaloa subdivision of Puna. Finally, a customer was arrested in a sports betting operation at a bar. Neither management nor employees were involved.
The project was paid for by a Byrne Administration Grant administered by the state attorney general's office.
