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Drug Situation: The Hawaiian Islands are made up of eight major islands and a 1,500 mile chain of islets, covering 6,422.6 square miles in the North Central Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is populated by approximately 1.2 million people, with the largest ethnic variety in any of the states. All of the illegal drugs that are available on the mainland can also be found in the islands, with crystal methamphetamine (ice), marijuana, cocaine HCl, crack cocaine, heroin, and predatory drugs being the leading threats in the state. As part of the Los Angeles Field Division, the Honolulu District Office (HDO) is located 2,500 miles from the continental United States. The HDO has an Area of Responsibility (AOR) that encompasses the State of Hawaii, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and American Samoa.

The majority of drugs are brought into the HDO area of responsibility by aircraft passengers or through the use of shipping companies and the U.S. postal service. Hawaii has several airports and airfields on six of the eight islands. The largest of the airports is the Honolulu International Airport on Oahu. In any given year, there are more than seven million visitors to the Islands. The majority of the incoming flights originate from the U.S. mainland, Canada, and Asia.

Cocaine HC1/Crack Cocaine: Cocaine HCl remains popular and readily available throughout Hawaii, and is often used in conjunction with other drugs including heroin and marijuana. The demand for cocaine is perpetuated by the tourist industry. Intelligence indicates an increase in cocaine trafficking, including crack cocaine, due to the current shortage of crystal methamphetamine available statewide. In addition, some methamphetamine dealers are reportedly reverting to cocaine distribution due to the perception of there being “less heat” than with meth. The vast amount of media attention given to meth has convinced some dealers that there is less focus on cocaine, therefore making it easier to distribute the drug without detection. The DTOs trafficking cocaine in Hawaii are usually Mexican, Samoan, and African American. Many of the DTOs have ties to California, Nevada, and Mexico. The local and Pacific Islander organizations are supplied by Mexican DTOs. On a lesser scale, Asian DTOs are also trafficking in cocaine. Cocaine is smuggled to the islands via local airports, postal and mail delivery services, and interisland shipping lanes. Seized cocaine is usually concealed in vacuumed sealed food bags, Ziploc bags, and fibrous paper type bags heavily taped with either clear tape or other nonmetallic tapes. In Guam, gram and ounce quantities are packaged in small, plastic bags. Kilogram quantities are packaged in latex rubber and wrapped in packing tape. The majority of cocaine seized within the GRO’s AOR is located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This area is believed to be utilized as a trans-shipment point between Mexico/South American traffickers and receiving Asian organizations.

Heroin: Most of the heroin seized in Hawaii is black tar heroin. The Honolulu International Airport (HIA) continues to be the primary entry point for heroin transported into Hawaii. The majority of the seized heroin is body carried into the islands from Los Angeles by Mexican organizations and distributed throughout the state by a close-knit cell of distributors. In addition, black tar heroin is smuggled from Mexico via body couriers on commercial aircraft and via mailed parcels. In Hawaii County, user amounts of black tar heroin are packaged in tin foil, balloons, and plastic wrap.

Mexican organizations supply wholesale quantities of black tar heroin to local drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and independent distributors. Heroin is available for users from street dealers, in illegal gambling establishments, and in the Downtown, Waikiki, and Chinatown areas of Honolulu. In Hawaii County, the drug is usually found in rural areas where veterans reside.

Methamphetamine: Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is the drug of choice in Hawaii. The majority of powder methamphetamine is converted into ice before it is distributed. The drug is readily available statewide. A great deal of the crystal methamphetamine abuse in Hawaii is attributed to the DTOs with strong domestic and international organized crime enterprises. Mexican organizations have become more involved in the production and distribution of crystal methamphetamine in Hawaii. It appears that the majority of the crystal methamphetamine available in Hawaii is produced in Mexico and California. Mexican DTOs transport the drug to Hawaii from California through the HIA via couriers on commercial flights, and mailed parcels (FEDEX and UPS). Crystal methamphetamine smuggled into Hawaii is distributed throughout the islands and eventually lands in local night clubs, street corners, hotel sites, public areas, raves, and private residences. The widespread use of crystal methamphetamine in Hawaii has had a devastating impact on the Hawaiian economy and family structure. In addition, the drug’s presence has increased street violence and property crimes. Major traffickers or organizations are mostly comprised of Asian syndicates comprised of Korean, Filipino and Chinese individuals who smuggle methamphetamine onto the islands of Guam and Saipan via body carry or secreted into furniture. Guamanians residing in the mainland often acquire methamphetamine and mail it to family members in Guam who sell the drug for increased profit. Monetary proceeds are then mailed back to the mainland via FEDEX, UPS, USPS, or laundered through wire remitters or bank accounts.

MDMA: MDMA is not manufactured in Hawaii, but is shipped from the mainland via parcels and/or smuggled on incoming flights through the HIA. Small quantities of MDMA are sold and used in bars, nightclubs, and rave parties.

Predatory Drugs: Abuse of predatory drugs, including MDMA, GHB, and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), is increasing among Hawaii’s youth and the large military population stationed in Hawaii. These drugs are readily available and typically consumed among military personnel, teenagers, and young adults attracted to dance clubs, raves, and bars. In July of 2003, agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the HDO conducted a controlled purchase of approximately one gram of Alpha-Methyltryptamine (AMT) from an active duty sailor. In August 2003, another gram of AMT was purchased. A subsequent search warrant was conducted and 10 grams of AMT were seized.

MDMA, or ecstasy, is an increasing problem on Guam and in the CNMI. Based on the information available, ecstasy appears to be the fastest growing problem in the region.

In Hawaii, teenagers and young adults (20-30 years old) are increasingly using ecstasy, which is readily available at raves, nightclubs, and some hotels. Ecstasy is not manufactured here, but is shipped from the mainland through the U.S. Postal Service, parcel services or smuggled on incoming flights through the Honolulu Airport. Ecstasy abuse is rising among the large military population in Hawaii. Local military officials view ecstasy use as the major drug use issue affecting active duty military in Hawaii.

Predatory drugs pose the biggest problem for the military population. Hawaii is home to more than 78,000 military personnel and their dependants located on five major military bases and facilities, with most located on Oahu. Military law enforcement personnel are seeing predatory drugs as the drug of choice since it is popular among the younger military personnel, in part because of the speed at which these drugs leave their systems.

On the Big Island, raves and nightclubs are a source for MDMA; however the rave scene is not prolific.

Similar to the methamphetamine trade, Asian syndicates are primarily responsible for the trafficking of YABA. Approximately 500 YABA tablets were seized in Guam (2003) during an inspection of a military aircraft. The YABA was destined for Hawaii from Thailand.

Marijuana/Hashish: Hawaii continues to maintain its status as a national leader in the production of high-grade marijuana. Homegrown marijuana continues to be a staple for locals and for export to the mainland. In addition, search warrants conducted on ice and cocaine trafficker residences have revealed small seizures of marijuana. Due to the widespread availability and use of marijuana, it remains the second most abused drug in Hawaii. The majority of the state’s marijuana cultivation is on the Big Island in Hawaii County. Hawaii’s tropical climate is ideal for year-round marijuana cultivation. Outdoor grows are typically located in tropical valleys adjacent to year-round sources of water, such as rivers and streams. The vast majority of the grow sites are located on public lands, in rural areas, and on private property with open fields. On average, the typical yield per marijuana plant is one pound. Loosely affiliated groups, primarily Caucasian, commonly claim religious reasons for the cultivation and use of marijuana. Canadian marijuana, aka BC Bud, continues to be smuggled from Canada to the mainland and subsequently to Hawaii. Both Mexican and Canadian marijuana are routinely seized at the HIA from body carrying couriers and via parcels. Marijuana users in Guam acquire the drug from Hawaii and the Republic of Belau. There are no major marijuana traffickers/organizations/gangs in the GRO’s AOR; however, the local population solicits military personnel as well as Japanese tourists regarding the sale of marijuana cigarettes.

Other Dangerous Drugs: Steroids (Dianobol) are not sold on the streets in Hawaii. The drug can be purchased via the internet. Current intelligence indicates that there is a limited availability of LSD, MDMA, and PCP in Honolulu. Small amounts have been seized along with prescription drugs. Ecstasy, ketamine, marijuana, and pharmaceuticals are being sold at raves (held in clubs) in Honolulu. In Hawaii County, raves are held in various farm lots, ranches, and isolated beaches. Ecstasy, mushrooms, and AMT are being sold at these raves. In Maui County, raves are held outdoors in very rural areas where Ecstasy, marijuana, GHB, and LSD are available.

Diverted Pharmaceutical Drugs: Hydrocodone is one of the most abused pharmaceutical drugs in Hawaii. The drug is readily available in the counties of Honolulu and Hawaii. Doctor shopping (going to several doctors to obtain prescriptions) is the most common form of diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances. Other forms include employee theft from drug inventories, forgeries and prescription falsification, and indiscriminate prescribing of drugs by doctors for other than legitimate reasons.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. Since the inception of the MET Program, 473 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 19,643 arrests. There have been four MET deployments in the State of Hawaii since the inception of the program: Hilo/Hawaii County, Waipahu, Maui, and Kona.

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This Program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. As of January 31, 2005, there have been 27 deployments nationwide, and one deployment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, resulting in 671 arrests. There have been no RET deployments in the State of Hawaii.

More information about the Los Angeles Division Offices.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 1/2008

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