November yields highest number of fentanyl-related arrests made on Big Island this year

The largest number of fentanyl-related arrests on Hawai‘i Island was made in November, with nine people taken into custody.

According to its monthly stats report, Hawai‘i Island police also recovered 42.22 grams of illicit fentanyl and 20.5 fentanyl pills.

Previous reports indicate that the most illicit fentanyl was recovered in March, totalling 635.97 grams. The largest amount of fentanyl pills recovered this year occurred in July, with 500 pills confiscated.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, just two milligrams of illicit fentanyl, equal to a couple grains of salt, is a lethal dose. The 42.22 total grams of illicit fentanyl recovered by Hawai‘i Police Department in November were enough to kill 21,110 Hawai‘i Island residents.

“Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to fighting drugs on island and apprehending those that distribute and sell illegal narcotics,” according to a news release on Tuesday. “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.”

For fentanyl safety tips, how to recognize fentanyl poisoning, and more, please go to HPD’s website: https://www.hawaiipolice.gov/services/crime-prevention-and-safety-tips/fentanyl-safety-tips/

Anyone with 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 people to call their East Hawaiʻi and West Hawaiʻi Vice Sections’ 24-hour anonymous vice/drug tip hotline at the following numbers:

• (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, and Hāmākua.