As part of its continuing community outreach about the dangers of fentanyl, the Hawai‘i County Police Department (HPD) provides monthly updates on the number of County fentanyl related arrests (possession/distribution) quantity as well as the amount fentanyl recovered for the preceding month.

During the month of March 2024, there was a total of seven fentanyl related arrests, six in Area I (east Hawai‘i) and one in Area II (west Hawai‘i). Police recovered a total of 107.18 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 100.58 grams in Area I and 6.6 grams in Area II.

During the same month, the Hawai‘i County Police Department also recovered a total of 278 fentanyl pills, with 278 pills recovered in Area I and zero recovered in Area II.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, just two milligrams of illicit fentanyl, equal to a couple grains of salt, is a lethal dose. The 107.18 total grams of illicit fentanyl recovered by Hawai‘i Police Department in March 2024 was enough to kill 53,590 Hawai‘i Island residents.

For fentanyl safety tips visit https://www.hawaiipolice.com/services/crime-tips#fentanyl.

AP Photo