Officer steps on booby trap in pot patch

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A Federal Task Force officer stepped on a booby trap device in a marijuana patch while chasing a wanted suspect in Puna, police said.

A Federal Task Force officer stepped on a booby trap device in a marijuana patch while chasing a wanted suspect in Puna, police said.

At about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, while conducting warrant sweeps in the Ainaloa subdivision, a Federal Task Force officer was attempting to apprehend a wanted individual in the area of Azure Drive. The officer ran into the brush area in a marijuana patch and stepped on a booby trap device made of nails, causing puncture injuries.

The presence of a booby trap in a marijuana patch increases the offense to first-degree commercial promotion of marijuana, a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Anyone with information about this incident to contact Lt. Mark Farias of the Hilo Vice Section at 961-2253 or mfarias@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.