Posted on: Monday, September 20, 2004

Big Island ice raid results in 15 arrests

Advertiser Staff

Big Island police arrested 15 adults on drug charges Thursday following a two-month investigation of a welding shop from which police say crystal methamphetamine was being distributed.

About 12:50 a.m. on Thursday, officers with the West Hawai'i Ice Task Force, West Hawai'i Vice Section and Airport Smuggling Unit, assisted by the FBI, executed a search warrant on the welding shop on Kaiwi Street in the Old Industrial Area of Kailua, Kona.

Police said they recovered ice, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, several firearms and ammunition.

An undisclosed amount of cash and four vehicles also were seized for possible forfeiture.

Police said those arrested and charged with various drug offenses were Stephen K. Murata, 40; Jaime Martinez-Sanchez, 33; Danielle Kaneao, 19; Alisha D. Brenneman, 24; Brandon T. Halmas, 24; James R. Vanderhoek, 49; Dale H. Beimes, 43; and Pohaku B. Veriato, 25.

Seven others were arrested for drug offenses but released pending further investigation, police said.