Police Arrest, Charge Man in Suspected Marijuana Operation

A suspected marijuana operation in Kurtistown was busted by the Hawai’i Police Department on Tuesday.

In the bust, 59-year-old Puna man John Perreira was arrested and charged with commercial promotion of marijuana and related offenses.

HPD reports that Area I Vice Section officers served search warrants on a Hawaiian Acres home located on the 16-1600 block of Puelehua Street, along with two vacant adjacent properties.

Six medical marijuana permits were associated with the first property, however, none were associated with the other two.

A total of 61 marijuana plants were recovered outside of the house on the first property, in addition to 207 plants located in three locations inside the house. Adjacent properties held another 41 plants and numerous pots with cut stems, according to police.

During the execution of the search warrants, no one was home. Police say that Perreira returned to the home later and was arrested. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while the investigation continued.

Police recovered a total of 309 marijuana plants, 68.12 pounds of dried processed marijuana, and $19,500 in cash for forfeiture.

Wednesday morning, Perreira was charged with four counts of first-degree promotion of marijuana, four counts of second-degree promotion of marijuana, and six counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Perreira’s bail was set at $90,000. He is awaiting his initial court appearance, scheduled tentatively for Thursday.