3 arrested in drug raid at Chinatown lei shop
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Police raided a Chinatown lei shop yesterday afternoon, arresting three people for alleged drug possession and sales.
Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser
About a dozen officers in cars and on foot, some hooded to protect their identities, closed in on Leis By Kapena at 152 N. Pauahi.
A police officer talks with one of the suspects in yesterday's raid at Leis By Kapena in Chinatown.
Lt. Alan Bluenke, with HPD's narcotics-vice division, said two men and a woman were arrested after a months-long investigation in which all three allegedly sold drugs to undercover officers.
Bluenke said the investigation started after a number of complaints about illegal activities from area residents. A "significant amount" of crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, cash and drug paraphernalia was found in the raid, police said.
The raid is in conjunction with a larger effort by police to combat drug dealing in Chinatown.
"It's great when the police respond to the specific concerns of residents, and it sounds like that is what they have done," said Karl Rhoads, a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Board.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
