Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police seized more than 75 pounds of marijuana and other drugs on a raid of a Volcano ranch Monday that police said dismantled a major hashish manufacturing and marijuana farming operation.

Acting Lt. Steven Correia said the raid was the largest seizure of dried marijuana and hashish in recent memory, and may be the largest ever for the Big Island police department. Police estimated the value of the drugs at $500,000.

Vice officers executed a search warrant at the 29-acre ranch on Amaumau Road and found three indoor growing operations.

Seized from the ranch were 199 marijuana plants ranging from seedlings to 3 feet tall, and 75.65 pounds of dried marijuana.

The dried marijuana included 127 individually vacuum-sealed 1-ounce packets that were labeled with prices ranging from $280 to $300.

Officers seized two pounds of processed hashish and equipment used to manufacture hashish. Also seized were 18.8 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and 59 methadone pills.

Police arrested a 64-year-old man at the scene, and the man's 60-year-old wife later turned herself in to authorities.

Police said the husband has a valid medical marijuana permit that entitles him to grow up to seven marijuana plants as a caregiver for another person.

Husband and wife were both being held in the Hilo police cellblock while police consult with federal authorities on whether the pair should face federal prosecution.