The Hawaii Police Department said that starting this month, it will be releasing statistics on fentanyl arrests and the amount of the drug recovered on a monthly basis.
Through April, in East Hawaii, there have been six arrests for fentanyl possession and/or sale this year, with 93.64 grams of the drug recovered along with 52 pills containing fentanyl.
During the same time period in West Hawaii, police made 16 fentanyl-related arrests, recovering 289.38 grams of the drug, as well as 546 pills containing fentanyl.
“By proactively issuing monthly statistics on fentanyl arrests and the amount of fentanyl recovered, Big Island residents can monitor the department’s commitment to eradicating this drug from our communities,” Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said in a written statement. “What’s more, people can keep track of accurate data themselves, rather than relying on rumors or potentially misleading claims.”
In recent years, the use of illicit fentanyl has reached epidemic proportions on the mainland and Hawaii, according to police. Criminal drug networks are mixing this dangerous synthetic opioid into illegal counterfeit pills and selling them as legitimate prescription pills, often with deadly consequences, police said.
For fentanyl safety tips, how to recognize fentanyl poisoning, and more, visit HPD’s website at https://www.hawaiipolice.com/services/crime-tips#fentanyl.