WAILUKU - Indoor marijuana-growing operations were discovered during recent searches of two Maui residences of people who had medical marijuana permits, law enforcement officials reported Friday.
In both cases, officials said the amounts of marijuana seized exceeded the legal limit for medical use.
One search occurred Wednesday when state Narcotics Enforcement Division officers and Maui police vice officers executed a warrant at a residence on Luakaha Circle in Kihei. Investigators discovered a sophisticated indoor growing operation and seized 142 marijuana plants from a residence and an outdoor shed, according to a news release from the state Department of Public Safety.
Processed marijuana, marijuana extracts and drug paraphernalia also were seized, along with the medical use of marijuana certificate of a 32-year-old man identified as the homeowner and person responsible for growing the marijuana.
Under state law, a patient registered to use marijuana for medical purposes can have no more than three mature marijuana plants, four immature plants and 1 ounce of usable marijuana for each mature plant.
The Narcotics Enforcement Division reported receiving complaints from the public about the indoor marijuana-growing operation in late January. After conducting surveillance on several occasions, state investigators obtained search warrants.
The homeowner was arrested and later released pending further investigation of first-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia.
In another search last week, Maui police vice officers discovered an indoor marijuana-growing operation at a residence on Maha Road in Makawao.
A 61-year-old man arrested at the home had a state medical marijuana permit, police said. But the amount of marijuana found exceeded the legal limit for medical use and the suspect was selling the marijuana to make a profit, police said.
After executing a search warrant Feb. 11, police reported seizing 12 mature marijuana plants, 1 ounce of processed marijuana, ventilation and lighting systems, a food-sealing machine, drug notes and other paraphernalia.
On Maui, 1 ounce of marijuana is sold on the street for $350 to $400, said Capt. Gerald Matsunaga, commander of the police Vice Division. Based on the estimated yield from mature plants, each plant was valued at $1,000 to $2,000, he said.
During the past few years, the number of indoor marijuana-growing operations has increased while the count of outdoor marijuana plants eradicated generally has decreased, Matsunaga said. This year, police are tracking the number of cases involving people with medical marijuana permits.
The Makawao man was released later pending further investigation of second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana, possessing drug paraphernalia and fourth-degree promotion of a harmful drug.
Police said the case will be referred to the prosecutor's office.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.
This story includes a correction from the original published on Sat., Feb. 21, 2009, reflecting the price of mature marijuana plants confiscated. An incorrect, higher value was reported.
