8 arrested in drug raids on Big Island

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island vice officers seized more than 2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine and arrested eight people in 10 raids last week.

Small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, drug paraphernalia, pills, a firearm, $16,357 in cash and three automobiles were seized by the West Hawai'i Ice Task Force, acting on information received via the Ice Tip Hotline, police said.

Joseph Jardine III, 36, of Holualoa, was charged with two counts each of promoting dangerous drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and also was arrested on three bench warrants. Emma Yates, 21, also of Holualoa, was charged with promoting dangerous drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects also were charged with violating the conditions of their release from jail in connection with previous drug cases, police said.

Tammy Lyn Ayau, 37, of Kailua, Kona, was arrested and charged with four counts of promoting dangerous drugs and two counts of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and Noe Jim Raquinio of Kailua, Kona, was charged with two counts each of promoting dangerous drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. Two other people arrested at the same time were released without being charged.

Melvin Deperalta, 48, of Na'alehu in Ka'u, was charged with promoting detrimental drugs and two counts each of promoting dangerous drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. A woman who was arrested during the raid at Deperalta's house was released.

The telephone numbers for the ice and drug tip hot lines are (808) 329-0423 in West Hawai'i and (808) 934-8423 in East Hawai'i.