Hawai‘i Police Department
Office of the Chief
Chief Benjamin T. Moszkowicz
Phone: (808) 961-2344
Media Release
As part of its continuing community outreach about the dangers of fentanyl, Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) provides monthly updates on the amount of fentanyl related arrests (possession/distribution) in Hawai‘i County and the quantity of fentanyl recovered for the preceding month.
During the month of July 2023, there was a total of nine fentanyl related arrests, six in Area I (east Hawai‘i) and three in Area II (west Hawai‘i). Police recovered a total of 255.91 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 254.71 grams in Area I and 1.2 grams in Area II. The Hawai‘i Police Department recovered a total of 6,367 fentanyl pills, with 6,317 recovered in Area I and 50 recovered in Area II.
| Area I (East Hawai‘i) | Area II (West Hawai‘i) | |||||||
| Month/2023 | Fentanyl Arrests | Fentanyl Recovered: Grams | Fentanyl Recovered: Pills | Month/2023 | Fentanyl Arrests | Fentanyl Recovered: Grams | Fentanyl Recovered: Pills | |
| January | 2 | 0 | 0 | January | 6 | 148.45 | 422 | |
| February | 0 | 57.79 | 0 | February | 4 | 91.9 | 79 | |
| March | 2 | 34.61 | 2 | March | 4 | 29.13 | 15 | |
| April | 2 | 1.24 | 50 | April | 2 | 19.9 | 30 | |
| May | 10 | 9.13 | 2 | May | 3 | 78.4 | 75 | |
| June | 1 | 56.14 | 33 | June | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 6 | 254.71 | 6,317 | July | 3 | 1.2 | 50 | |
| Total | 23 | 413.62 | 6,404 | Total | 22 | 368.98 | 671 | |
Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to fighting drugs on island and apprehending those that distribute and sell illegal narcotics. In recent years, the use of illicit fentanyl has reached epidemic proportions on the mainland and Hawai‘i. Criminal drug networks are mixing this dangerous synthetic opioid into illegal counterfeit pills and selling them as legitimate prescription pills, often with deadly consequences.
Fentanyl safety tips
For fentanyl safety tips, how to recognize fentanyl poisoning, and more, please go to HPD’s website: https://www.hawaiipolice.com/services/crime-tips#fentanyl.
Have a drug tip? HPD wants to hear from you!
If you have information relating to illicit drug use and distribution, as well as vice issues such as prostitution, gambling, and other related crimes, Hawai‘i Police Department encourages you to call our East Hawaiʻi and West Hawaiʻi Vice Sections 24-hour anonymous vice/drug tip hotline.
What number do I call?
(808) 329-“ZERO-ICE” (808) 329-0423 — Information pertaining to districts of Kaʻū, Kona, South Kohala, and North Kohala.
(808) 934-“VICE” (808) 934-8423— Information pertaining to districts of Puna, South Hilo, North Hilo, and Hāmākua.
How does the hotline work?
When you call, you will be asked to provide information. You do not have to provide your name, address or telephone number. All information is kept confidential and within the Criminal Investigation Division.
What happens to the information I provide?
Information is cross-referenced, allowing detectives to determine if additional information related to the criminal activity about which you are calling has been reported in the past. Even “small” bits of information can at times provide detectives with the “missing link” that allows them to take action.
