19 arrested in anti-drug sweep on Big Island

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Law-enforcement officers served 11 search warrants in East Hawai'i and arrested 19 people in an anti-drug sweep dubbed "Operation Meltdown III."

Police said 58 state, federal and county officers took part in the Thursday raids in Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo and Puna.

Police Capt. Samuel Thomas, head of the East Hawai'i Criminal Investigation Division, said the operation "had a huge impact on the community in shutting down several ice houses and illegal drug operations. In fact, neighbors cheered when our officers busted an ice house in Pana'ewa."

Authorities confiscated about a 1/2-ounce of crystal methamphetamine, about 2 grams of heroin, 111 marijuana plants and three illegal firearms, police said.

Police said they will seek federal prosecutions in the firearms cases.

Search warrants were served on two homes in Hamakua, two in North Hilo, four homes and a vehicle in South Hilo, and one home and a business — AK Pizza of Pahoa — in Puna.

Two people were arrested in Hamakua, two in North Hilo, 11 in South Hilo and four in Puna.

A total of 32 people were arrested in previous "Operation Meltdown" operations staged in January 2003 and April 2003, police said.