Big Island fentanyl arrests and recovery stats for March

The Hawai‘i Police Department 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 March, there was a total of seven fentanyl related arrests, six in Area I (East Hawai‘i) and one in Area II (West Hawai‘i). Police recovered a total of 107.18 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 100.58 grams in Area I and 6.6 grams in Area II.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, just two milligrams of illicit fentanyl, equal to a couple grains of salt, is a lethal dose. The 107.18 total grams of illicit fentanyl recovered by Hawai‘i Police Department in March was enough to kill 53,590 Hawai‘i Island residents. In Q1 2024, (January, February, March), the Hawai‘i Police Department recovered a total of 297.91 grams of illicit fentanyl, enough to kill 148,955 Hawai‘i Island residents.

The Hawai‘i Police Department also recovered a total of 278 fentanyl pills, with 278 pills recovered in Area I and zero recovered in Area II.

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 the Hawai‘i Police Department website.

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, the Hawai‘i Police Department encourages you to call its 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.