Posted on: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Drugs, guns seized in Mo'ili'ili apartment raid

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu police seized a cache of drugs worth almost $105,000, along with weapons, currency — both real and fake — and counterfeiting equipment during a raid Tuesday on a Mo'ili'ili apartment.

Narcotics/vice officers found drugs including crystal methamphetamine, powdered cocaine, black tar heroin and marijuana in the fourth-floor apartment at 2100 Date St.

Officers raided the unit at 10:30 a.m. and arrested a 54-year-old man and a woman, 42, on nine felony drug counts, including first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, three firearm offenses, and possession of illegal knives. Another woman, 36, was booked in connection with two firearm offenses.

The apartment was rented to a 27-year-old woman who appears to be the victim of identity theft, police said.

Police are investigating the drug and counterfeiting cases separately. The drug and firearm combination may result in federal charges, police said.

The first-degree drug-promotion count stems from the seizure of 346 grams of crystal methamphetamine, which has a street value of $103,000, according to police. In addition, officers found eight grams of powdered cocaine, 2.6 grams of black tar heroin and 17 grams of marijuana valued at $900, $520 and $125, respectively, on the street.

The firearm offenses involve a sawed-off shotgun, revolver and semiautomatic pistol found in the unit, police said.

Police also seized $5,520 cash, $100 worth of counterfeit $20 bills and 11 laptop computers in the raid.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.