KAILUA-KONA — Helicopter searches for marijuana grow operations were conducted in West Hawaii Thursday and Friday, law enforcement officials confirmed Friday afternoon.
The Narcotics Enforcement Division started an ongoing marijuana eradication mission Monday. There is currently no timeline on when it is to end, said Toni E. Schwartz, public information officer for Hawaii Department of Public Safety.
Schwartz said eradication missions have been going on for several years. She added the department would not say if the current mission was being conducted on other islands.
“We cannot discuss the nature and scope of any law enforcement operations currently underway,” she said.
Schwartz said the narcotics division is working with county officials to conduct the mission. Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner with Hawaii police confirmed the department assisted Narcotics Enforcement Division Thursday and Friday.
West Hawaii residents reported seeing helicopters in Ocean View on Thursday and in the south Kona area Friday.
Marta Randall, Ocean View resident, saw two or three helicopters Thursday. She said they were in the area from around 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Randall said the helicopters were flying low causing a lot of noise, which terrified her pets.
“Potted plants on my lanai were knocked over — pots were broken,” she said.
Schwartz said the division does get complaints about noise.