Updated at 7:53 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2007
Big Island 'Officer of the Year' targeted drug dealers
Advertiser Staff
John J. Weber has been named the Big Island Police Department's 2007 "Officer of the Year" by the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officials Association (HSLEOA).Weber, who is assigned to the East Hawaii Vice Section, initiated 393 cases during Fiscal Year 2006-2007, arrested 87 suspects and charged them with 355 offenses. The cases were primarily generated by search warrants that he drafted. During the fiscal year, Weber served 46 search warrants.
Lt. Samuel Jelsma, who nominated Weber, said Weber built "quality investigative cases" that targeted drug growers and dealers rather then just users.
Although Weber's Vice Section assignment was to the Marijuana Task Force, he also made cases targeting an operational methamphetamine conversion laboratory, an established "black tar" heroin dealer, and cocaine and methamphetamine dealers. His warrants led to the seizure of large quantities of marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, "black tar" heroin, cocaine and LSD, as well as 46 firearms and $526,147 in assets for forfeiture.
