Prudencio was recognized for his work in the Police Department's Vice Section. Through tips from the public, he developed nformation that led to the July 9 arrest in Hilo of a Big Island woman, along with two Oahu men who were smuggling and distributing hard drugs on the Big Island. Police recovered 120.4 grams of cocaine, 2.8 grams of "ice," 1.5 grams of marijuana and $314 in cash.

Prudencio was also recognized for developing information about a Mexican national who was setting up a drug operation in Puna. A search warrant in the Ainaloa subdivision on August 3 led to two arrests, the recovery of 177.2 grams of powdered cocaine and $1,840 in cash. Police learned that a Colorado woman had hidden cocaine on her body on a plane trip from Los Angeles to Hawaii and then turned it over to the male suspect, who broke it down into smaller quantities for sale. Both suspects were charged with drug offenses. Their bail was set at $1 million each.