Hawai‘i Police Department
Vice Section – Area II
Lieutenant Edwin A. Buyten
Phone: (808) 326-4646 Ext. 226
Report No.: 22-116327
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police charged a Waimea couple with more than a half dozen drug offenses, as well as illegal fireworks violations on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, following their arrest on Friday, December 30.
After a month-long investigation, Area II Vice Section investigators served a search warrant on a residence in the 64-5300 block of Puu Nanea Street in Waimea, which was occupied by 31-year-old Kendell Artuyo and his 31-year-old wife, Lexa Artuyo. Police recovered nearly 1.9 grams of fentanyl mixture, 30 Suboxone pills having a total street value of more than $2,200, and recovered more than 25 pounds of illegal aerial fireworks. They also seized more than $2,572 in US currency for forfeiture. The couple’s two minor children were taken into protective custody for their safety.
After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday, December 31, police charged Kendell Artuyo with:
- two counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- one count of promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree
- one count of promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree
- one count of promoting a harmful drug in the second degree
- one count of drug paraphernalia
- one count of fireworks prohibitions
His bail was set at $72,250.
Lexa Artuyo was charged with:
- four counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- two counts of promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree
- one count of promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree
- one count of promoting a harmful drug in the second degree
- two counts of drug paraphernalia
- one count of fireworks prohibitions
Her bail was set at $84,500.
Lexa Artuyo was released on her own recognizance due to a medical issue. Kendell Artuyo posted bail. Both parties are due in Kona District Court on February 2, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. for their preliminary hearing.
