Kaiser doctor held on drug charges

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A physician at Kaiser-Permanente Moanalua Medical Center was arrested yesterday and charged with possession of cocaine, date-rape drugs, ecstacy and steroids. He was also charged with being a drug user in possession of firearms — in this case, five handguns.

Dr. Peter E. Fong, an anesthesiologist, was arrested yesterday morning as he arrived at work. Police had followed him to the Moanalua facility after he picked up three packages at a private mailing firm on Wai'alae Avenue, according to an affidavit filed in support of Fong's arrest.

Kaiser spokeswoman Jan Kagehiro said Fong is a physician with Hawai'i Permanente Medical Group, which is contracted by Kaiser to provide service. Fong, who has been with Kaiser since 1993, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Kagehiro said.

"The reasons for his arrest were all related to personal activities," Kagehiro said. "As far his performance as a physician, he has provided good quality care to his patients."

Postal inspector Cynthia Blank said in the affidavit that Fong had ordered the drugs through a Web site and that the items were mailed from Canada. The Web site contained code names for the drugs, including "nail enamel remover" and "ink stain remover," Blank said.

Blank said law enforcement officers have been monitoring the Web site since Aug. 1 and tracked Fong's order to the Wai'alae Avenue mail business. On Tuesday, three parcels addressed to Fong were intercepted and opened.

Inside the parcels were bottles and jars marked "ink cleaner," "sodium," and "nail enamel remover," the affidavit said. All of the substances were tested by Honolulu police and determined to be forms of the "date-rape" drugs.

The substances were removed and "benign" substances substituted in the parcels, Blank said. Yesterday morning, Fong picked up the packages and was later arrested.

A search of Fong's residence turned up cocaine, marijuana, 79 tablets of ecstacy, steroids, as well as five pistols and ammunition.