MEDIA RELEASE

Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Iboshi has announced that on Feb. 1, David Chong Fook Leong, Jr., a 35-year-old resident of Mountain View, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the offense of attempted promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.

On Feb. 2, 2010, members of the Hawaii Police Department Ice Task Force received information that two individuals had flown from Honolulu to distribute methamphetamine in the Hilo area.

Police located Leong, along with Ann Marie Cantere at the Home Depot parking lot in Hilo. Police officers observed a resealable packet containing a crystal substance within the vehicle.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police found 25.7 grams of methamphetamine, numerous empty resealable packets, $2,593 in cash, and airline tickets bearing the names of Leong and Cantere.

On Feb. 4, 2010, Leong was charged via complaint with promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree, prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia, and attempted methamphetamine trafficking in the second degree.

On Nov. 16, 2011, Leong entered a plea of “no contest” to attempted promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.

On Feb. 1, 2012, Leong was sentenced by Judge Greg K. Nakamura to an indeterminate 10 year term of imprisonment for these offenses.

The state argued for a prison sentence, based upon his criminal history which includes three prior felony convictions.

Leong asked to be placed on probation, noting that he had attended substance abuse treatment subsequent to his commission of these offenses.

Nakamura ultimately rejected Leong’s request to be placed on probation and imposed an indeterminate 10 year term of imprisonment.

Anyone having information concerning drug trafficking should call the Hawaii County Police Department Ice Hotline at 934-8423 or at 329-0423, or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.