Posted on: Thursday, January 23, 2003

Cockfight operations on Maui raided

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — At least 24 people were arrested and two cockfighting operations dismantled in a police sweep yesterday following a year-long vice investigation, Maui police said in a statement.

More arrests were expected as a result of two grand jury indictments, one with 93 counts and the other with 87 counts. Charges included racketeering, gambling and cruelty to animals.

Operation "Down the Hatch'' is described as a Vice Division Gambling/Morals Unit investigation focused on cockfighting, gambling and organized crime activities, Maui police said.

All those indicted are Maui residents.

The island-wide investigation is continuing, the statement said.

Maui police officials declined to comment further, saying they didn't want to jeopardize ongoing operations.

Maui County Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said the final arrest totals will include suspects listed on both indictments.

Hupp said many of the people arrested yesterday bailed out of jail. Bail ranges from $1,000 to $50,000.

The most serious charge is racketeering, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Arrested and charged with counts of racketeering, gambling and cruelty to animals were Brian Frias, 35, of Makawao; Brandon Balangitao, 22, of Wailuku; Dayton J.K. Javier, 20, of Kihei; Amor Canosa, 60, of Kahului; William Dutro, 60, of Wailuku; Glendale Kiili, 43, of Wailuku; Primitivo Barreras, 62, of Kahului; William E. Riddick, 47, of Ha'iku; Dawn K. Alo, 21, of Kahului; Kainalu J. Foreman, 28, of Makawao; Rodney P. Navarro, 58, of Pa'ia; Daniel Javier, 60, of Kihei; Clariss Javier, 42, of Kihei; Louis M. Gomes III, 35, of Pukalani and Edward Yasui, 63, of Kahului.

Arrested for gambling, cruelty to animals and possession of a gambling device were Hilario T. Ancheta, 27, of Kahului; and Steven Cayaba, 35 of Kahului.

Arrested for gambling were Roy Y. Takemura, 36, of Kahului; Stanley Manibog, 52, of Kahului; Patrick DePonte, 61, of Kahului; Winona Apuna, 70, of Wailuku; Glenn M. Nakamura, 58, of Wailuku; Robert C. Brath, 58, of Lahaina; and Takeo Yamauchi, 79, of Lahaina.