Posted on: Saturday, April 9, 2005

Homes of two officers searched

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

The homes of at least two more Honolulu police officers, including one assigned to the department's elite Criminal Intelligence Unit, were searched this week as part of an ongoing federal investigation into allegations of gambling-related police corruption, a law enforcement official said.

Last week, federal agents executed search warrants at the homes of four Honolulu police officers. The investigation centers on whether officers helped set up and protect illegal cockfights and other gambling activity in exchange for things of value.

No arrests have been made.

The CIU officer's home was searched on Wednesday morning by agents with the FBI, according to the law enforcement official, who asked not to be named because the investigation is ongoing.

Asked about the latest search warrants, HPD Capt. Frank Fujii on Thursday said that Chief Boisse Correa is aware of the investigation but will not comment.

FBI Special Agent Arnold Laanui acknowledged Thursday that the FBI served two more search warrants this week but declined further comment about the investigation. He said a total of six search warrants have been served in connection with the federal probe, but declined to provide specifics.

The Criminal Intelligence Unit reports to HPD Deputy Chief Paul Putzulu and is tasked with gathering and distributing intelligence information on organized crime and terrorist threats in Hawai'i. An assignment to the unit is considered one of the department's most sensitive postings and requires good working relations with federal and international law enforcement agencies.

Under former Chief Lee Donohue, the unit reported directly to the chief and was considered part of his office. When he took office, Correa installed Putzulu as the unit's administrator.

While declining to comment specifically on the ongoing investigation, Laanui said Thursday that CIU officers work closely with the FBI, and CIU officers are routinely cross-deputized to work on federal investigations.

"The Criminal Intelligence Unit has been a clearinghouse for all types of criminal intelligence, not only the identification of suspects but patterns and practices that would lend itself to criminality," Laanui said. "They have been instrumental in identifying targets for us."

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8110.