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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Maui police officer pleads not guilty in drug case


Maui News

WAILUKU — A Maui police officer pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges alleging he possessed a smoking pipe containing methamphetamine residue that was recovered as part of a police search earlier this year.

A July 2 trial is scheduled in 2nd Circuit Court for Ryan Masada, 39, of Makawao.

Masada, who was represented by attorney Michael Green during his arraignment, was ordered not to possess guns or ammunition.

Second Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto also ordered Masada not to consume alcohol, illegal drugs or possess drug paraphernalia. He is charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Masada, who posted a $10,000 bond for his release following his arrest on the charges filed May 3, is a 17-year police veteran. He had been working as a Wailuku patrol officer but has been reassigned to administrative duties, the department said.

According to felony information charging documents filed in court, police Criminal Investigation Division detectives recovered the pipe after serving search warrants for the lockers of three officers, including Masada, at 6:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Wailuku Police Station.

The officers were among those who had responded to a Feb. 3 burglary of a Haiku house where police recovered hashish and marijuana. One resident later reported that $1,960 was missing from his room after police searched it.

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