MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a large shipment of illegal drugs destined for West Hawaiʻi.

On Thursday (December 8) the Area II Vice Section’s Airport Task Force unit recovered 2,800.4 grams (approximately six pounds) of suspected crystal methamphetamine from a package intended for the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island.

The task force officers had located an incoming package to which a narcotics detection canine displayed a positive alert, indicating an odor of a controlled substance was emanating from the package. Officers prepared and executed a search warrant on the package, which led to the recovery of approximately six pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $280,000.

Although no arrests have been made in this investigation, officers are working to develop leads.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Airport Task Force officers are tasked with the responsibility of suppressing the importation of illegal narcotics to Hawaiʻi Island by investigating the various methods used to import the illegal narcotics, focusing their efforts primarily on the island’s various ports of entry, such as airports, harbors and mail shipping facilities.

Persons responsible for the importation, distribution and possession of illegal narcotics can face criminal prosecution and, if convicted, criminal penalties.

Police encourages community members to report any information about the illegal importation, distribution and possession of narcotics by calling the Vice/Drug Tip Hotlines at 329-ZERO-ICE (329-0423) for information pertaining to the Districts of Kaʻū, Kona, North and South Kohala, 934-VICE (934-8423) for information pertaining to the Districts of Puna, North and South Hilo, and Hāmākua, or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. Callers to any of the hotlines can remain anonymous.