32 year-old Cody Lee Ranchez Araw Pepe‘ekeo was sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of fentanyl and heroin.

On Wednesday, Araw, who remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail throughout the duration of his criminal proceedings, appeared in Hilo Circuit Court for sentencing.

On October 16, 2024, Araw entered “Guilty” pleas to the offenses of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess twenty-five or more capsules, tablets, ampules, dosage units, or syrettes, containing fentanyl) and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of heroin).

According to police, on April 16, 2024, Araw was contacted by police while at the Suisan Warehouse in Hilo. Following the execution of narcotics search warrants, Vice officers recovered 71.5 fentanyl pills, as well as heroin, a total of $505.00, and drug paraphernalia. Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess twenty-five or more capsules, tablets, ampules, dosage units, or syrettes, containing fentanyl) is a class B felony which carries a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of heroin) is a class C felony which carries a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

The cases were prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.

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