Firefighters yesterday towed in a 22-foot boat that lost power in waters near Maunalua Bay, said fire department spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson. Rescue personnel also took ashore five people who were on the boat.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters responding to a report of boaters in distress at about 1 p.m. found the vessel drifting in the water, Johnson said.

BIG ISLAND POLICE SEIZE MARIJUANA

Big Island police have seized an estimated $776,970 worth of illegal drugs over the past several days as officers executed a series of warrants involving commercial marijuana operations.

Wa'awa'a resident John Ford, 60, was arrested Tuesday after police said they found 309 marijuana plants, 266 grams of processed marijuana, drug paraphernalia and two loaded firearms.

The drugs were estimated to be worth $313,690.

Another Puna man, Donald Coke, was arrested Wednesday after police said they found marijuana and hashish at two Leilani Estates homes.

Coke allegedly had 380 marijuana plants, almost 21 pounds of processed marijuana and 14 grams of hashish.

Ford and Coke were charged with first-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and other offenses.

THREE MEN ARRESTED IN WAIKIKI STOP

Three men were arrested in Waikiki early yesterday morning for alleged drug and weapons offenses.

During a traffic stop, police saw an ice pipe and switchblade in the center console between two of the suspects, ages 25 and 41, police said. Officers also said they found a loaded handgun in the waistband of the third suspect, age 30.

ARREST IN ATTACK ON EX-GIRLFRIEND

A 34-year-old man was arrested yesterday after allegedly beating and sexually assaulting the mother of his child.

The suspect and victim no longer live together, but police said he showed up at the woman's 'Aiea home yesterday, demanded drugs or money, then beat her when she didn't have it.

The woman then went to lie down and the man entered her bedroom and sexually assaulted her, police said.