HAWAII NARCOTICS TASK FORCE Program Overview

The components of the Hawaii Narcotics Task Force (HNTF) include multi-agency efforts in airport interdiction, intelligence sharing, standardized training, the use of undercover officers, and the use of canine in the detection of drugs. Mid- to high-level distributors are targeted. Multi-agency efforts include the combined resources of federal and county law enforcement personnel, as well as the occasional use of state narcotics investigators. The major drugs in Hawaii are marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.

The lead agency of the HNTF is the Maui Police Department. The Honolulu Police Department participates in task force operations without the receipt of Byrne grant funds.

Aggregate Funding Information

Three projects received funding during the report period. The Maui Police Department received FY 2004 and FY 2005 funds totaling $87,370; the Kauai Police Department received FY 2004 and FY 2005 funds totaling $40,000; and the Hawaii Police Department received FY 2004 funds totaling $119,199. Total funding for the Hawaii Narcotics Task Force program was

$246,569.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Hawaii Narcotics Task Force program is to reduce the availability of drugs in Hawaii.

The objectives are:

• to meet at least quarterly;

• to make drug-related arrests;

• to make drug, weapon, and asset seizures; and

• to provide training to task force members.

Program Activities

State, federal, and county law enforcement continued to seize illicit drugs in Hawaii. In recent years the demand for crystal methamphetamine has leveled off while the demand for and the supply of cocaine remains high. The supply of these drugs has been coupled with increased purity allowing for those involved in its importation to further increase their profit margins.

state via air, postal, and marine/maritime vessels. It has been documented that illicit drugs are predominantly transported via commercial and private air transportation as well as federal and private mail couriers. Precursor chemicals, and for the most part, most illicit drugs are not locally produced but are smuggled into the state resulting in increased trafficking and importing activities. Intelligence information and post investigations confirm this increase.

The profit to be made in drug trafficking remains potentially high. Consequently, drug organizations have invested money, time, and effort to establish elaborate distribution networks that are extremely sophisticated and well organized. These networks continue to filter down to the low level “street dealers” who deal drugs to support their own habits and remain highly visible to the general public.

Because the majority of drugs are being imported into the state, the task force focus is on mid- to high-level drug dealers. Operations are enhanced by utilizing multiple law enforcement agencies, consisting of at least one county police department and a federal agency, i.e., Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The use of undercover officers from other jurisdictions is effective in infiltrating drug organizations.

Canine units continue to play an important role in intercepting drugs. Ongoing training is an integral component of task force operations. Officers have attended local and out-of-state training and conferences. Regular task force meetings are necessary not only to plan joint operations but also to discuss pertinent task force issues.

Performance Measures/Indicators and Evaluation Methods

• number of task force meetings held,

• number of drug-related arrests,

• types and amount of drugs seized,

• types and amounts of asset seized, and

• types of training attended.

Program Accomplishments and Evaluation Results

The task force met quarterly to focus on intelligence sharing, training opportunities, grant administration, and tactical planning.

The task force seized 106,259.26 grams of marijuana, 6,429.57 grams of crystal

methamphetamine, 2,549.19 grams of cocaine, and 130.14 grams of heroin in the three counties.

Table 1

Hawaii Narcotics Task Force Drug Seizures in Grams, 7/1/2007 – 6/30/2008

COUNTY

Crystal

Methamphetamine Cocaine Heroin Marijuana

Hawaii 5,537.57 2,514.19 130.14 79,866.75

Kauai 616.00 20.00 0.00 18,350.51

Maui 276.00 15.00 0.00 8,042.00

TOTAL 6,429.57 2,549.19 130.14 106,259.26

In addition to drug seizures, the three police departments reported 1,283 arrests and the seizure of $194,981 in cash, 25 weapons, and 36 vehicles.

Table 2

Hawaii Narcotics Task Force Arrests and Seizures, 7/1/2007 – 6/30/2008

COUNTY

The drug and asset seizures were the result of several investigations. In July 2007, HCPD task force officers received information that crystal methamphetamine was being

distributed at a Waiakea gas station in Hilo. A search warrant resulted in the confiscation of 2.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 120.4 grams of powdered cocaine, and the seizure of $314 in U.S. currency. Two adult males with Oahu addresses and an adult female with a Big Island address were arrested.

In August 2007, HCPD officers executed a search warrant of a residence in the Puna area of the Big Island. A total of 177.2 grams of powdered cocaine was confiscated from within the residence and from the bushes located near the edge of the property. Also seized was $1,840 in U.S. currency. An adult male Mexican national and a female adult with a California address were arrested. After interviewing the suspects, it was learned that the female was the courier who “body carried” the cocaine on a flight from Los Angeles. It was also determined that the Mexican national was wanted as a suspect for a 2001 “Operation Pipeline” drug investigation on the Big Island but who, at the time, had fled before he could be apprehended.

In August 2007, KPD concluded “Operation Green Stream.” Other federal and local agencies involved in the operation included the DEA, FBI, IRS, ICE, ATF, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Postal Service, Federal Protective Services, HPD, MPD, HCPD, and the State DLNR. A total of nine federal search warrants were issued and executed on four residences and five vehicles. Five federal arrest warrants were issued, one state search warrant was issued and executed, and three arrested were made under state charges. A total of 5,922 marijuana plants were seized including 30.2 pounds of processed marijuana and $1,675 in U.S. currency. Also seized were five vehicles valued at $50,070, one boat with trailer valued at $2,000, and real

In September 2007, the MPD Vice Division, Special Response Team and Criminal Intelligence Unit executed multiple search warrants upon the residents of a Wailuku residence.

The search warrant was based on intelligence gathering and controlled purchases of illicit drugs from the primary target of this investigation. Total seizures included 6.54 grams of marijuana, 17.91 grams of crystal methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $288 in U.S. currency. The suspect and his associate were arrested for the drug offenses.

In September 2007, “Operation Falcon II” was conducted by the KPD with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Service and the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force. A total of 42 bench warrants were served. Two search warrants were executed resulting in three felony and two misdemeanor arrests. The operation seized 34 grams of methamphetamine and $1,975.

In October 2007, MPD Vice officers conducted a controlled delivery of a parcel that had been initially intercepted in Honolulu. The parcel contained over three pounds of marijuana for a Lahaina address. The investigation resulted in one arrest and the recovery of 19.05 grams of processed marijuana. .

In October 2007, KPD officers conducted “Operation Garden Ice.” Assisting in the operation were the DEA, FBI, ICE, IRS, ATF, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Protective Services, the Hawaii National Guard, the state DLNR, HPD, HPD, and HCPD. The operation resulted in 10 search warrants being issued and executed on Kauai, two on Oahu, one on Maui, one in Hawaii County. A total of eight people were arrested on Kauai, two on Oahu, one in Maui and Kona, and four in California. Kauai seizures included six firearms, five vehicles and one motorcycle, two ounces of crystal methamphetamine (56.69 grams), one marijuana plant, and $1,091. The Sacramento seizures included one-quarter pound of crystal methamphetamine, two shotguns, one SKS semi-automatic rifle, $19,500, and real property.

To keep abreast of trends and the latest investigative techniques, 54 task force members attended 15 training workshops.

Training Date Location # Attending

Operation Jetway Training 07/2007 Chicago 2 Dept. Attorney General – Wiretap Training 08/2007 Honolulu 1

12^th Annual Covert Operations Conference 08/2007 Las Vegas 2 Money Laundering & Financial

Investigation Training 08/2007 Honolulu 1 Vohne Liche Kennels Training (Selection

& Purchase of Drug K9) 08/2007 Denver 1 Hawaii Narcotics Task Force (Quarterly

Meetings) 08/2007 Honolulu 5

02/2008 Honolulu 4

05/2008 Honolulu 3

California Narcotics Officers Assn. Conf. 11/2007 Reno 2 Campaign Against Marijuana Planting 01/2008 Lake Tahoe 3

Calif. Narcotics Canine Assn . Conference 01/2008 Burbank 2 Currency, Banking, and Retrieval System

For Law Enforcement Personnel 02/2008 Honolulu 2

Hawaii Narcotics Canine Training 03/2008 Honolulu 5 Inter-County Criminal Intelligence Unit

(ICCIU) Training 03/2008 Maui 14

Domestic Cannabis Enforcement and

Suppression Program – National 04/2008 Seattle 4 WSIN Training 04/2008 Sacramento 2 Operation Hemisphere Training 04/2008 Honolulu 1

MARITIME INTELLIGENCE AND ENFORCEMENT