Record cocaine
seizure reported

HILO » Hawaii County police seized 8.6 pounds of cocaine during an anti-marijuana mission in May, they confirmed this week.

It was the largest single seizure of cocaine in Big Island history.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration plus state and county officers seized 29,043 marijuana plants during 10 consecutive days of statewide eradication ending June 9, they announced at a news conference in June.

No mention was made of the cocaine then because the investigation was still in a sensitive stage, DEA Special Agent Randy Wagner said yesterday.

On May 31, the first day of the operation, a helicopter spotted marijuana growing at a house in Fern Acres subdivision, said police Capt. Chad Fukui.

Obtaining a search warrant, they also found the cocaine, Fukui said. Officers also seized $14,300 at the house, Wagner said.

The statewide operation resulted in nine arrests, of which three were at the Fern Acres house, Wagner said. Charges are still pending.