A Honolulu man has been arrested and charged with numerous drug offenses after an incident at Hilo International Airport.
At approximately 2:55 p.m. on Saturday, officers were sent to the Hilo airport in response to a report of man who attempted to bring an airsoft pistol in his carry-on bag through the TSA security checkpoint.
The suspect, 60-year-old Olaf Seyler of Honolulu, attempted to pass through security when an item appearing to be a pistol was observed through X-ray screening, according to police.
TSA reported that while searching Seyler’s carry-on luggage, a glass smoking pipe containing white powdery substances was found. In addition, 27 individual 1-inch Ziploc-type resealable packets containing a powdery rock-like substance also were allegedly found, along with a digital scale and an imitation Glock 17 airsoft pistol.
Seyler was arrested and transported to the Hilo cellblock, where he was held for continued investigation.
Seyler’s luggage was recovered and transported to the Hilo Police Station, where it was secured pending the execution of a search warrant.
A total of 24.57 net grams of fentanyl allegedly were recovered from the Ziploc-type resealable packets.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as 2 milligrams (0.002 grams) of fentanyl can be a lethal dose. Based on this information, the fentanyl seized had the potential to result in over 12,000 lethal doses.
Detectives on Sunday executed a search warrant on Seyler’s luggage, resulting in the recovery of .63 grams of methamphetamine, and an additional .93 grams of fentanyl.
He was charged with first-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and three counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
Seyler’s bail was set at $210,000, and his initial court appearance was this afternoon in South Hilo District Court.
Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Officer Wyatt Kaili-leong at (808) 961-2203, or via email at wyatt.kaili-leong@hawaiicounty.gov.