HPP and HONOKAA, Hawaii: Helicopter fly-overs – akin to the operations once referred to as Green Harvest – have apparently assisted the Hawaii County Police in making two alleged marijuana operation arrests on the east side of the Big Island.

This media release was issued on Thursday:

Hawaiʻi Police Department vice officers arrested and charged two people after serving two unrelated search warrants this week. Both search warrants were the result of aerial observation and information and tips from the public.

Officers served the first search warrant Monday (August 1) at a home on 13th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna and the second Tuesday (August 2) at a home in Honokaʻa.

At the Paradise Park home, officers recovered 188 marijuana plants—119 of which were located on adjacent properties. The plants ranged from 1 to 5 feet in height. Also recovered were seven unregistered firearms and 252 prescription pills consisting of methadone, Diazepam, Hydrocodone and other pharmaceutical drugs.

Officers arrested 35-year-old Shonna Soares, who lives at that address. She was charged with commercial promotion of marijuana, promotion of a dangerous drug, promotion of a harmful drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and various firearm offenses. Her bail was set at $49,000. She was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending her initial court appearance.

Police are seeking 44-year-old Chad A. Soares Sr. in connection with that investigation. He is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-9, 200 pounds with brown eyes and black balding hair.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

In the Honokaʻa investigation, police served a search warrant at a home on Kahana Drive and discovered an indoor/outdoor marijuana operation. Officers recovered 595 marijuana plants 6 inches to 4 feet in height. Also recovered were approximately 10 pounds of dry processed marijuana, 25.5 grams of marijuana hashish, two unregistered firearms, a digital scale and indoor growing equipment.

Officers arrested 61-year-old Thomas Sullivan and charged him with with commercial promotion of marijuana, promotion of a harmful drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and firearm offenses. Sullivan’s bail was set at $39,000. He was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial court appearance.

Police thank the public for their tips that helped solve these two cases. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug operations by calling the Vice/Drug Tip Hotlines at 934-8423 in Hilo or 329-0423 in Kona.

In 2008, voters in Hawaii County passed the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Ordinance, but different interpretations of that ordinance have resulted in continued law enforcement fly-over operations and eradication. The raids have not always been conducted at the direction of the Hawaii County police, local authorities say. In 2010, county police officials told a room full of pro-marijuana activists in Volcano Village that the department has no money budgeted for marijuana eradication, and said they are not assisting with any current eradication efforts that may be underway on the island.