13 fentanyl arrests made on Hawai‘i Island in May

Arrests and drug recoveries related to fentanyl has dropped significantly since January. The monthly release of data related to fentanyl is part Hawai‘i Police Department’s continued efforts to engage to community about the illicit drug.

During the month of May 2023, there were a total of 13 fentanyl related arrests: 10 in East Hawai‘i and three in West Hawai‘i. Police recovered a total of 87.53 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 9.13 grams in Area I and 78.4 grams in Area II, as well as 77 pills, two pills in East Hawai‘i and 75 in West Hawai‘i.

According police, the use of illicit fentanyl over the past few years 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 safety tips on fentanyl including how to recognize fentanyl poisoning, click here.

Authorities advice calling East Hawaiʻi or West Hawaiʻi Vice Sections’ 24-hour anonymous vice/drug tip hotline.

Those with information pertaining to districts of Kaʻū, Kona, South Kohala, and North Kohala are advised to call 808-329-0423. Those with information pertaining to districts of Puna, South Hilo, North Hilo, and Hāmākua are advised to call 808-934-8423.