Hawai`i `Olelo No`eau: 

Mai ho`okanalua i ke 

ka`aka`a o ka `ili`ili, he 

kuleana ku i ka wa no `ia 

"Never doubt that a small group 

of thoughtful, committed 

citizens can change the world; 

indeed, it is the only thing that 

ever has." 

— Margaret Mead, 

American anthropologist 

LITERAL TRANSLATION OF HAWAIIAN PROVERB: 

Don’t doubt the mighty roll of the little pebbles; it is indeed the ancient 

process for progress. 
CROSSROAD OF THE PACIFIC 

A LOOK AT THE MISSION,

PROGRAMS, & ACHIEVEMENTS

OF THE HAWAII HIDTA FOR 

CALENDAR YEAR 2005 

This document and the 

information contained herein are 

unclassified. 
Table of Contents 

I. Executive Summary 

II. Introduction 

III. National HIDTA Goals 

IV. Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 2005 

V. HIDTA Strategy Summary 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures 

o Performance Measures for Goal 1 

Core Table 1 - 11 

o Performance Measures for Goal 2 

Core Table 12 – 16 

o Threat Specific Measures 

Threat Specific Tables 1-4 

VII. Conclusion 

VIII. Appendices 

A- Table of Organization 

B- Executive Board Listing 

C- Participating Agencies & Counties 

IX. Endnotes 
“The task forces making up the 

Hawaii HIDTA have proven to be 

an effective law enforcement tool” 

Charles Goodwin 

Special Agent in Charge 

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Honolulu Field Office 

(2006 Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board Chairman) 

\

“The Hawaii HIDTA is the most 

effective means, in at least a 

decade, for the coordination of 

federal-state-local law enforcement 

efforts in the curtailment of drug 

trafficking in the State of Hawaii ” 

Thomas Phillips 

Chief of Police 

Maui County Police Department 

(2006 Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board Vice-Chairman) 
Executive Summary 

Section I. 

THE EFFORTS OF NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND PREVENTION 

ADVOCATES, DRUG TREATMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND LAW 

ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE CONTINUALLY UNDERMINED BY 

DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS THAT PUSH ILLICIT DRUGS 

UPON OUR COMMUNITIES, CITIZENS, AND CHILDREN. 

WHY WE DO...WHAT WE DO 

The Hawaii HIDTA exists to disrupt and dismantle the illicit drug markets operated by 

Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs). DTOs, like legitimate businesses, want stable 

market forces. They seek reliable sources of supply, secure distribution systems, and an 

expanding customer base. DTOs want low costs with high profit margins, prompt 

payments, and a good cash flow. 

Every time illegal drugs and associated drug assets are seized, couriers arrested, and 

illegal production eradicated, the regional marketplace for illegal drugs suffers a setback. 

These seizures hit DTOs hard affecting their profitability and frequently their ultimate 

survival. By disrupting the drug supply chain, particularly at the multi-state or 

international level, law enforcement impacts the drug flow before it ever reaches the 

individual user. 

WHERE IT COUNTS 

As stated, the disrupting and dismantling DTOs is the main function of a HIDTA. 

During CY 2005, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives identified 172 DTOs and targeted 119 of 

those identified. By the end of year, 81 percent of these targeted DTOs and money 

laundering organizations were disrupted. In addition, 13 DTOs were totally dismantled. 

Illicit drugs are extremely profitable for the illegal organizations that traffic them. 

Purging illicit drug profits hits home where it counts. During CY 2005, nearly $1.8 

billion in illicit drug profits were permanently eliminated from the balance sheets of 

regional DTOs. This would be a serious financial blow to even the most legitimate 

corporation. Its impact on illegal DTOs is greater yet and represents a sizeable reduction 

in illicit drug availability. 

ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE KEY 

Law enforcement actions carry a cost. A key question emerges, therefore, as to how 

efficiently and effectively public dollars are being spent on these objectives. This report 

answers those questions. During this past reporting period, Hawaii HIDTA task forces 

and initiatives disrupted the market for illegal drugs by meeting or exceeding most of 

their performance targets for the year, and they did so in a cost efficient manner. 

6
RETURN ON INVESTMENT 

Hawaii HIDTA personnel are mindful that battling against illicit drug trafficking is 

funded through federal tax dollars. Therefore, it is encouraging to know that for every 

Hawaii HIDTA $1 spent on law enforcement, prosecution, and investigative support 

activities, $604 in illicit drugs were removed from the market and $2 in drug-related 

assets were seized. As a result, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives achieved a noteworthy 

combined Return-on-Investment (ROI): $606 for every $1 of Hawaii HIDTA funds 

invested. 

INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING 

The Hawaii HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) provided the 15 HIDTA 

initiatives and operational task forces with intelligence resources that led to the successful 

investigation of 44 multi-defendant/jurisdictional cases during CY 2005. In addition 

2,677 event deconfliction and 8,537 case/subject deconfliction were submitted through 

the Western States Information Network (WSIN). The ISC and WSIN offer intelligence 

resources to help in identifying, investigating and dismantling/disrupting the area’s most 

dangerous drug dealers, money launderers, arms traffickers, and violent criminals. 

INTERNATIONAL AND MULTI-STATE DTOS 

The Hawaii HIDTA strives to investigate larger, more complex DTOs where the greatest 

positive impact can be achieved. The point can be made that HIDTA initiatives were able 

to direct their efforts toward higher level drug trafficking organizations which in turn 

supply the local drug market. Disrupting or dismantling a large complex DTO generally 

takes longer than stopping a street level operation, but doing so can substantially reduce 

the illicit drug market. The statistical measures contained throughout this Annual Report 

show that during CY 2005 (as in CY 2004) over forty-six percent of the DTOs targeted 

were at the international and multi-state level. 

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES 

The Hawaii HIDTA continues to play a leading role in assisting law enforcement, 

prosecution, and intelligence support personnel with essential and advanced training 

opportunities. During CY 2005 the Hawaii HIDTA administered 14,918 man-hours of 

training for 891 participating individuals. 

COOPERATION 

The Hawaii HIDTA’s strongest underlying principle is the collaboration and cooperation 

encouraged between different law enforcement agencies, departments, and stake holders. 

There were 136 full-time and 114 part-time federal, state, and local law enforcement 

officers participating in the Hawaii HIDTA initiatives and task forces 

during CY 2005. 

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD 

As an illustration of Hawaii HIDTA’s success, its Director, Larry 

Burnett, accepted the Regional Community Leadership Award from 

the National Director of the FBI on behalf of the HIDTA’s effort in 

bringing 26 of Hawaii’s law enforcement agencies and departments 

together in close cooperation to combat illicit drug trafficking. 

7
Operation Vegas-HI Express 

Members of the Hawaii HIDTA HIIMPACT task force seized 35 pounds of 

crystal methamphetamine and dismantled 

an organization transporting the drug 

from Las Vegas to Oahu. It was one of 

the largest single seizures of crystal 

methamphetamine in the state. The 

organization was reportedly responsible 

for smuggling approximately 80 pounds 

of crystal methamphetamine to Hawaii 

since mid-2004. 

8 
“Since its designation in 1999, the Hawaii 

HIDTA program continues to serve as an 

efficient and effective means to address drug 

concerns in Hawaii. The Hawaii HIDTA 

facilitates cooperation among drug 

enforcement agencies through resource and 

information sharing, the collocation of 

personnel, and the implementation of joint 

initiatives. It is a program that works.” 

Boisse Correa 

Chief of Police 

Honolulu Police Department 

\

“I consider Hawaii-HIDTA a model for all 

existing HIDTA programs throughout the 

United States. It has been extremely 

successful in fostering cooperation between 

federal, state, and local agencies; while 

instituting task force initiatives that are 

effective in disrupting and dismantling 

criminal organizations” 

Anthony D. Williams 

Assistant Special Agent in Charge 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

Honolulu District Office 

9 
Introduction 

Section II. 

IT IS HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE HIDTA PROGRAM 

EXISTS AND HOW IT IS STRUCTURED TO FULLY APPRECIATE 

THE HAWAII HIDTA’S ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DOCUMENTED IN 

THIS ANNUAL REPORT. 

THE HIDTA PROGRAM 

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director designates regions of the 

United States that have critical drug trafficking problems as High Intensity Drug 

Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs). This national program is currently composed of 28 

individual HIDTAs spread throughout the country. HIDTAs play a significant role in 

addressing real world drug and drug-related problems and offer real world solutions. The 

Hawaii HIDTA is no exception. The Hawaii HIDTA has fostered cooperative and 

effective working relationships with all of Hawaii’s federal, state and local law 

enforcement agencies in its quest to disrupt or dismantle DTOs. These working 

relationships are embodied in the Hawaii HIDTA initiatives and task forces. A detailed 

description of each initiative can be found in the Hawaii HIDTA 2005 Strategy, which is 

summarized in Section V for the reader’s convenience. 

Hawaii HIDTA law enforcement initiatives have established priorities that focus on 

immobilizing DTOs, especially those involved with drug-related violent crime, as well as 

targeting those DTOs that have the greatest adverse impact on the quality of life in 

Hawaii. Through its initiatives the Hawaii HIDTA and its participating agencies are 

disrupting and dismantling the DTOs responsible for trafficking in crystal 

methamphetamine, marijuana, and other dangerous drugs. Concentration on fugitives and 

firearms used to perpetrate crime is another substantial commitment by two of our 

initiatives. There is a determined effort to counter drug movement and to arrest those who 

conceal the proceeds from illegal drug sales. This is exemplified by the continuing 

enhancements to our foreign and domestic interdiction and eradication initiatives. These 

priorities are supported by a strong commitment from federal, state, and county 

prosecutors to provide timely and sound legal advice. 

National HIDTA 

Program Mission Statement 

The mission of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program is to 

disrupt the market for illegal drugs in the United States by assisting federal, state, and 

local law enforcement entities participating in the HIDTA program to dismantle and 

disrupt drug trafficking organizations, with particular emphasis on drug trafficking 

regions that have harmful effects on other parts of the United States. 

10
During the 2005 calendar year, the Hawaii HIDTA Director and Executive Board worked 

closely with law enforcement officers and local HIDTA staff to develop a vision of the 

future which clearly reflects what outcomes HIDTA initiatives seek to achieve. 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Vision Statement 

The Hawaii HIDTA envisions a combined cultural and regional counterdrug 

effort that not only improves coordination and effectiveness among local, state 

and federal law enforcement agencies, but also embraces citizen stakeholders 

in education, prevention, health care, and public leadership, in order to 

provide an inclusive community action plan and response to the harmful 

consequences of drug trafficking in our neighborhoods. 

Hawaii HIDTA success is measured in part by its ability to facilitate greater efficiency, 

effectiveness, and cooperation among and between external participating agencies at the 

local, state, and federal level, thus yielding tangible, measurable results. Collocation of 

different law enforcement agencies to facilitate and enhance resource sharing is a key 

strategy. The extent of information sharing and inter-agency cooperation fostered by the 

Hawaii HIDTA approach proves that separate law initiatives are working together 

effectively and efficiently. 

It is said that a mediocre plan, well executed, was better than a perfect plan, poorly 

executed. Unfortunately, many organizations too often neglect to establish any plan at all, 

good or bad. The Hawaii HIDTA is not one of them. The Hawaii HIDTA recognizes that 

without a clear mission, the law enforcement, intelligence and prosecution communities 

cannot work in concert toward any mutual objectives, and success cannot be quantified or 

measured. The Hawaii HIDTA fully embraces the following mission in conjunction with 

the national program objectives. 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Mission Statement 

At the crossroad of the Pacific and gateway into the continental United States, the 

Hawaii HIDTA’s participating agencies work together through enhanced coordination 

and integrated initiatives to disrupt and dismantle illicit drug distribution, production, 

money laundering, transportation, and trafficking within the region. 

This mission is consistent with (a) the goals of the National Drug Control Strategy and its 

comprehensive approach to counter the threat of illicit drugs, and (b) the overall mission 

of the program— the enhancement and coordination of America’s drug control efforts 

among federal, state, and local agencies in order to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking 

and its harmful consequences in critical areas of the United States. 

11 
HIDTA Designation: June 1999 

Reporting Period: This Annual Report covers calendar year 2005; the reporting period 

from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. 

Budget Allocation: FY 2005 (last full fiscal year) Budget: $2.5 million. 

The Hawaii HIDTA allocates 90 percent of its allocation directly to its initiatives and task 

forces for their operational support costs. Throughout this Annual Report, the Hawaii 

HIDTA reports significant success in achieving its mission. The Hawaii HIDTA’s 

performance is trending positive for the future. HIDTA dollars are well spent in as much 

as they are yielding precisely the desired effects. 

Geographic Area of Responsibility: State of Hawaii 

(Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties) 

The State of Hawaii encompasses eight main islands 

and a 1,500-mile chain of islets, covering 6,422.6 

square miles in the North Central Pacific Ocean. 

Hawaii’s location, situated in the expanse of the 

Pacific Ocean, makes it an ideal transshipment point 

for illicit drugs to and from Asia and North America 

or to Pacific Basin locations, where profits two to 

four times higher are realized. 

Demographics: 

Hawaii’s 1.27 million residents1

 have the most 

racially diverse population of any state in the nation. 

Asians account for 41.6 percent of the population, 

which includes Asian Indian (0.1), Chinese (4.7), 

Filipino (14.1), Japanese (16.7), Korean (1.9), 

Vietnamese (0.6), and other Asians (3.5). Caucasians 

represent 24.3 percent of the population, the lowest 

percentage of any state. Native Hawaiians and other 

Pacific Islanders account for 9.4 percent of the 

population, and African Americans account for 1.8 percent. Various mixed-racial groups 

account for most of the remaining 15.7 percent of the population2

. A recent and 

significant change in Hawaii’s population has been the increasing Mexican/Hispanic 

population, which now accounts for 7.2 percent of Hawaii’s overall population. 

Hawaii also has a large, possibility the largest, transient population per capita in the 

United States. When military personnel and visitors are factored in, the population of the 

state grows nearly 20 percent. Military service members and their families contribute to 

Hawaii’s diversity by adding nearly 99,000 individuals to its overall population3

. 

Tourism adds another 7.4 million transients in the form of visitors arriving in the islands 

each year4. 

12
Transportation: 

Hawaii serves as a regional passenger and cargo hub. Although other airports in Hawaii 

now receive flights from the continental U.S., Canada, and Japan, the Honolulu 

International Airport remains the primary hub of Hawaii’s travel industry. Air freight 

transported through Hawaii’s airports is also voluminous, with hundreds of thousands of 

tons transiting the state every year. 

Package delivery services including the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS delivered 

over 32 million packages to Hawaii in 2005. It is difficult to determine the actual volume 

of illegal drugs transported into Hawaii by these services. Investigations have detected 

incoming drugs in shipments of auto parts, paper 

materials, flowers, cooking supplies, and other 

products. 

The statewide system of commercial harbors 

consists of ten harbors on six islands. This system 

plays a vital role in the State’s economy as Hawaii 

imports about 80 percent of its consumed goods, 

with 99 percent of large durable goods entering the 

state via the commercial harbor system5. In FY 2005 

the commercial harbor facilities handled a total of 

13.4 million tons of incoming cargo6. Hawaii also 

services a sizable international and domestic fishing 

fleet with over 2,900 commercial fishermen7. 

International fishing fleets from Mexico and Asia 

are an irregular, but noteworthy drug threat to the 

State. 

The current terrorism threat has been a significant 

boost for Hawaii’s cruise industry. U.S. and nonU.S. flagged vessels have been forced to seek safe, 

yet exotic ports of call. Hawaii’s tourism industry 

has stepped forward to promote cruising the state’s 

tropical waters between islands as a safe passage. During FY2004 1,322,370 cruise ship 

passengers sailed these waters and came ashore through the State’s system of harbors and 

ports of entry8

. 

CLIMATE CONDITIONS: 

Agricultural and weather conditions make Hawaii an optimal location to cultivate 

marijuana. Marijuana grown outdoors in Hawaii contains some of the highest THC 

levels in the nation because of growing conditions and the nutrient-mineral rich volcanic 

soil. The windward side of each of the islands provides an optimal location for marijuana 

growth due to ample morning rain showers and afternoon sunlight. Marijuana cultivators 

often use public lands such as state forests and parks. Annually, Hawaii is always counted 

in the top four eradication programs nationwide. 

(Note- pressure by the Marijuana Eradication-DCE/SP task force is forcing growers to take 

their cultivation efforts indoors.) 

13 
Operation Aloha Amigo 

This operation targeted a major drug 

trafficking organization smuggling large 

amounts of crystal methamphetamine to 

Oahu and Kauai from Mexico. The fourmonth investigation resulted in the arrest 

of nine individuals and ultimately led to 

the dismantling of the organization. The 

organization was the main supplier of 

crystal methamphetamine to the island of 

Kauai. 

14
“The Hawaii HIDTA has developed 

into a vital asset for the coordination of 

federal-state-local law enforcement 

efforts in the curtailment of drug 

trafficking in the State of Hawaii.” 

Edward Kubo, Jr. 

United States Attorney 

District of Hawaii 

\

“The HIDTA program in Hawaii has 

been a beacon of collaboration, 

cooperation and coordination amongst 

federal state and local law enforcement 

agencies.” 

Peter Carlisle 

Prosecuting Attorney 

City and County of Honolulu

15
National HIDTA Goals 

Section III. 

ONDCP HAS ESTABLISHED TWO SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE HIDTAS TO ATTAIN 

IN MEETING THE ILLICIT DRUG PROBLEM. THESE TWO NATIONAL GOALS GUIDE 

ALL HIDTA INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. 

GOAL ONE 

DISRUPT THE MARKET FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS 

BY DISMANTLING OR DISRUPTING DRUG 

TRAFFICKING AND/OR MONEY LAUNDERING 

ORGANIZATIONS 

GOAL ONE 

The Hawaii HIDTA’s primary goal is to dismantle, disrupt, arrest, and prosecute drug 

trafficking organizations, drug gangs and organized crime groups involved in drug 

distribution, drug manufacturing, money laundering, and other drug related crimes. 

To accomplish this goal, HIDTA’s participating agencies conduct long term, complex, 

multi-jurisdictional investigations. HIDTA brings federal, state, and local narcotics law 

enforcement resources within Hawaii together under task force “umbrellas” that are 

collocated on all county islands, where possible. 

As part of Goal One the Hawaii HIDTA has an effective airport, marine and parcel 

interdiction program targeting both domestic and international drug traffickers. It is 

designed to identify persons and organizations utilizing commercial airports, U.S. mail 

facilities, and private mail/cargo/container companies within the State of Hawaii to 

facilitate the movement of illegal drugs and drug proceeds throughout the State. HIDTA 

initiatives also targets individuals and rogue chemical suppliers that are providing 

chemical and lab equipment used in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine. 

Interdiction efforts are made to intercept shipments of precursor chemicals that often 

come from international sources in Asia. 

Money laundering is another aspect of the drug trade that is a concern to law 

enforcement. HIDTA participating personnel collect and analyze intelligence that can be 

used to identify, criminally investigate, and prosecute organizations utilizing various 

means to facilitate drug trafficking activities and launder illicit drug proceeds. 

16
GOAL TWO 

The main goal of the support initiatives, including the Management and Coordination 

initiative, is to facilitate the efficient operation of all investigative and case support 

activities by providing oversight, administrative, and budgetary support, in accordance 

with ONDCP and Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board policy and directives. The support 

initiatives coordinate resources and promote and encourage information sharing. The 

Hawaii HIDTA also provides a strong training program to enhance the knowledge and 

skills of participating personnel and staff. 

GOAL TWO 

IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND 

EFFECTIVENESS OF HIDTA INITIATIVES 

The Hawaii HIDTA Intelligence Initiative is providing subject and event deconfliction to 

guarantee officer and citizen safety during law enforcement activities; and providing a 

secure electronic link to neighbor islands via WSIN intranet. They also provide 

analytical support, intelligence, enhanced case support, and access to open-source and 

closed-source information for participating agencies. 

Hawaii historically has served as a crossroad for international narcotics planning, staging 

and as a transit point. By focusing drug intelligence from the Pacific Rim/Basin into the 

ISC, participating agencies can obtain timely, useful information to coordinate and 

synchronize efforts to reduce drug trafficking. This cooperative information is available 

nowhere else. 

Because of Hawaii’s unique island makeup, HIDTA initiatives on the islands of Maui, 

Hawaii, and Kauai maintain separate office facilities that justify their operational needs. 

Through the ISC LAN/WAN and WSIN, these initiatives can communicate and exchange 

information among the various facilities. This infrastructure is important to satisfying the 

investigative, intelligence, and administrative needs of these initiatives. 

The Hawaii HIDTA Fiscal Officer ensures compliance with ONDCP and the NHPO 

policy of expenditure tracking. Each initiative is required to provide a detailed quarterly 

report identifying their respective budget and documenting their expenses. The 

information is then imported into a spreadsheet used to track the overall Hawaii HIDTA 

budget. To achieve the highest standards, the Hawaii HIDTA has implemented an annual 

internal audit and self-review policy for both operational and fiscal oversight. 

17 
Operation Capsize 

This operation dismantled four inter-connected 

organizations responsible for smuggling more 

than 200 pounds of crystal methamphetamine 

into the State and the Big Island of Hawaii from 

2002 to 2005. The Mexico and California based 

organizations concealed drugs in vehicles and 

cattle feed aboard barges and ships. They also 

employed couriers and utilized cargo containers 

as methods of transport. This joint 

investigation by members of a number of 

Hawaii HIDTA task forces used a lengthy T-III 

intercept which resulted in: 50 search warrants; 

50 arrests; seizure of 24 pounds of crystal 

methamphetamine and quantities of other drugs 

worth over $1 million; seizure of $524,680 in 

cash; $620,000 in lieu of real property; 13 

vehicles including heavy paving trucks and 

equipment; a custom motorcycle and 32 

firearms. 

18
“The Hawaii HIDTA has been the hub of 

coordinating enforcement efforts targeting 

drug trafficking organizations in the State of 

Hawaii. The collaborative effort of participating agencies of the Hawaii HIDTA are 

second to none.” 

Wayne Wills 

 Special Agent in Charge 

 U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement

Honolulu, Hawaii 

\

“Hawaii HIDTA and the HI IMPACT 

initiative played a pivotal role in providing 

the necessary funding, inter-agency 

cooperation and technical support needed to 

further this complex, inter-jurisdictional 

investigation that has made a major 

influence in the demise of the major DTOs 

dealing crystal methamphetamine at the 

expense of the destruction of people’s lives 

and way of life here on the Big Island.” 

Lawrence K. Mahuna 

Chief of Police 

Hawaii Police Department 

Regarding Operation Capsize 

19
Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 

2005 

Section IV. 

To maximize operational effectiveness the Hawaii HIDTA produces a 

strategic plan that is based on a well-researched and methodical analysis 

of the region. Throughout the year Hawaii HIDTA intelligence analysts 

and analysts from the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) gather 

information and statistics relating to illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse 

throughout our area of responsibility. This research becomes the basis of 

the Hawaii HIDTA Threat Assessment. 

THE FOLLOWING CONDENSED SUMMARY FROM BOTH THE NDIC AND 

HAWAII HIDTA THREAT ASSESSMENTS IS PRESENTED AS A CONVENIENCE: 

National Drug Intelligence Center 

Pacific Region Drug Threat Assessment 

(Unclassified) Key Findings 

 The Pacific Region is a national-level distribution center for illicit drugs. Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, 

methamphetamine, and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy) are 

transported from the Pacific Region to other regions throughout the United States. Mexican and Asian drug 

trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups are the primary transporters of these drugs to other 

markets. 

 The production, transportation, distribution, and abuse of methamphetamine are the primary drug 

threat to the Pacific Region. Methamphetamine is readily available in every state in the Pacific Region, and 

ice methamphetamine is increasingly available in most areas. In fact, ice methamphetamine has become the 

predominant form in several areas of the Pacific Region such as California, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, 

Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. 

 Mexican DTOs pose the greatest criminal threat to the Pacific Region. These DTOs and their South 

American sources of supply are responsible for the majority of drug transportation and distribution within 

the Region. These organizations use familial ties and long-established relationships to maintain control 

over transportation and distribution groups in the region. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the 

dominant transporters and wholesale distributors of illicit drugs into, through, and from the Pacific Region. 

These DTOs distribute whole-sale quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and powder and ice 

methamphetamine into and through the Pacific Region. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups also are 

involved in money laundering and other criminal activities in the region. 

 Asian DTOs and criminal groups, including those of Cambodian, Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, 

Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Thai, and Vietnamese descent, transport and distribute illicit drugs as well as 

precursor chemicals in the Pacific Region. These groups transport and distribute wholesale quantities of ice 

and powder methamphetamine, marijuana, MDMA, Southeast Asian heroin, yaba, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine. 

20
 Retail-level quantities of drugs are distributed by a variety of criminal groups, independent dealers; 

prison gangs; African American, Asian, and Hispanic street gangs; and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs). 

Illicit drugs are sold throughout the region at open-air drug markets and through prearranged deliveries. 

 The Pacific Region serves as a significant national money laundering center for illicit drug proceeds 

generated within the region as well as illicit drug proceeds transported to the region. Traffickers primarily 

launder illicit proceeds by smuggling bulk cash and structuring drug funds through wire transfer services 

and domestic banks; however, other laundering methods such as informal value transfer systems (IVTS), 

front and shell companies, illicit use of casinos, and buying property with drug funds are also used by 

traffickers in an attempt to mask drug proceeds. 

CLASSIFYING HAWAII’S ABUSED DRUGS 

A multitude of illicit drugs are available to varying degrees in Hawaii, as in any 

populated area. The Hawaii HIDTA categorizes illicit drugs into three tiers based on 

the severity of the problems they pose to Hawaii’s law enforcement and citizens: 

Tier I includes the two drugs causing the most serious problems — crystal 

methamphetamine and marijuana. Arrest and seizure data for both these drugs indicate 

that availability is high. Demand data suggest that use of both drugs, along with the 

consequences of that use, is high and increasing. The magnitude of the crystal 

methamphetamine problem in Hawaii, a far more socially disruptive problem, 

overshadows marijuana. Although marijuana has seen a marked increase in associated 

violence it is not nearly to the same extent as crystal methamphetamine. 

Tier II drugs include cocaine and heroin which, although they remain problems in 

Hawaii, appear to rank well behind crystal methamphetamine and marijuana in 

contributing to the state’s drug troubles. Cocaine-related arrests and seizures are on an 

upswing, but demand data suggest declining prevalence and consequences of use. At the 

same time, heroin distribution and abuse appear to be diminishing in light of indicators 

suggesting declines in arrests, seizures, reported use, and treatment. 

Tier III drugs such as MDMA, GHB, steroids, and diverted pharmaceuticals, are 

available and abused in Hawaii but to a much lesser extent than Tier I & II drugs. While 

it is imperative to continue combating these drugs and thus preventing them from 

becoming a larger problem in the future, it is the trafficking and abuse of primarily 

crystal methamphetamine as well as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin that currently pose 

the most viable drug threats to Hawaii. 

PRODUCTION 

Hawaii has long been in the top four marijuana production areas for high potency 

marijuana in the nation and the number one statistically per capita and land mass. 

Despite agricultural and weather conditions that make Hawaii an optimal location to 

cultivate cannabis outdoors, a rising number of indoor marijuana grow operations are 

coming into play because of the outdoor eradication efforts by law enforcement 

personnel. Cultivators, especially those involved with indoor operations, appear to be 

ready to maximize the productivity of growing environments and to experiment with 

21 
different strains of cannabis plants to increase potency and yield higher profits; which are 

already roughly twice the mainland wholesale average. 

During CY 2005, statewide eradication efforts resulted in the removal of 259,068 

marijuana plants. The marijuana eradicated was evenly divided between public land 

(52%) and private ownership (48%). Of the total plants eradicated, 3,950 were from 

indoor grows. In CY 2005, the indoor seizures increased by 42%, nearly double the 

previous year suggesting a regional trend. Marijuana cultivators may be using indoor 

marijuana grows as an alternative because the likelihood of discovery is less than for 

outdoor grows. 

CRIME GROUPS & DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS 

International and local DTOs have ample opportunity to traffic drugs to, through, and 

from the area because of Hawaii’s high volume of international and domestic air and sea 

traffic including passengers, cargo, and mail. Hawaii is the destination for crystal 

methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin supplied from the West Coast and Mexico by 

Mexican Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs) and DTOs; for crystal 

methamphetamine and heroin transported from Asia, Canada, and the West Coast by 

Asian DTOs; and for marijuana transported from Canada and the Pacific Northwest by 

local DTOs. Hawaii is a transshipment point for methamphetamine transported from the 

West Coast to locations in the Pacific Basin, such as Guam, by local DTOs supplied by 

Mexican DTOs.9

 It also is a transshipment point for methamphetamine transported from 

the West Coast or Asia to locations in the Pacific Basin by Asian DTOs. Finally, Hawaii 

is the source of high potency marijuana transported to the U.S. mainland, Canada and, to 

a lesser extent, Mexico by local DTOs. 

ILLICIT FINANCE 

Money laundering is the act of hiding the source and/or destination of illegally obtained 

funds, usually so that the profits of criminal activity—whether from theft, drug sales, or 

some other crime—will appear to have originated from a legitimate transaction. The sale 

of illicit drugs in Hawaii generates considerable sums of money that, instead of being 

used to build schools, roads, or other infrastructure exit the local economy with no benefit 

to the state or citizenry. The international DTOs operating in Hawaii most often smuggle 

their illicit drug proceeds from the state to their country of origin. Most local DTOs also 

transport their proceeds from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland, largely in the form of 

payment to their sources of supply. 

Reporting from Hawaii HIDTA initiatives suggests that many seizures of illegal drug 

proceeds transported out of Hawaii via package delivery services often involve amounts 

ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 and are usually destined for the western part of the 

continental United States including southern California, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Many 

incidents involve circumstances whereby the individual wishing to mail the parcel is 

often willing to pay a fee that would seem unjustifiable given the weight of the parcel or 

the value of the item that was claimed to be inside the parcel. 

22 
BARRIERS TO PROSECUTION & OTHER ISSUES 

Hawaii state law sometimes impedes the ability of law enforcement to effectively combat 

drug offenders. For example, evidence obtained from federal wiretap and consensual 

encounters remain, at this time, inadmissible in Hawaii state courts. While evidence 

found during a federal investigation can be used in federal court, federal thresholds for 

drug possession are higher than at the state level, and arrested offenders not meeting 

federal thresholds are released without prosecution. 

Hawaii is unique in offering civil protection to drug dealers that is not afforded by any 

other state in the nation. During CY2005 two of the larger barriers to effective 

prosecution of drug offenders in the state involve the challenger provision to Hawaii’s 

electronic surveillance law and the state law governing consensual encounters. 

CHALLENGER PROVISION 

The challenger provision requires that an in-camera adversarial hearing be 

held before an order authorizing or approving a wiretap is issued. A 

defense attorney is appointed to the hearing and is provided with the 

application for the wiretap as well as all supporting documents. The 

argument for the challenger provision is that the adversarial hearing 

protects against rubber stamping by judges. This additional dissemination 

not only increases the risk that the target of an investigation will find out 

about the investigation but also increases the potential danger to any 

informants and witnesses. 

CONSENSUAL ENCOUNTERS 

Commonly referred to as “walk and talks,” consensual encounters are not 

permitted under the Hawaii State Constitution. In 1996 the Hawaii 

Supreme Court ruled that simply approaching someone in the airport 

violated the state constitution. Even if an investigator informs the person 

being approached that a drug investigation is being conducted, that he or 

she is talking to a police officer, and that he or she is free to leave at any 

time, that person cannot be prosecuted in Hawaii courts for any drugs 

discovered. 

Methamphetamine-related violence is a concern for law enforcement officials and public 

health professionals. Methamphetamine abusers tend to be violent and can endanger 

themselves and those around them. As the euphoric effects of methamphetamine begin to 

diminish, abusers enter a stage called “tweaking” in which they are prone to violence, 

delusions, and paranoia. Many abusers try to buffer the effects of the methamphetamine 

“crash” with other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine or heroin. The effects of mixing 

drugs, in combination with severe sleep deprivation, can result in unpredictable and 

uncontrollable behavior often leading to violet outbursts, domestic abuse and reckless 

child endangerment. 

23 
Operation Million Dollar Baby 

In February 2005, personnel from HI-IMPACT Oahu 3 

received information regarding an illicit drug 

smuggling operation in the Honolulu area. After 

identifying the local source of supply, HI-IMPACT 

personnel executed search warrants on several 

properties and two safety deposit boxes. The searches 

resulted in the recovery of over $1 million, 2.5 pounds 

of crystal methamphetamine, two firearms, and two 

vehicles. Two of the locations were identified as 

crystal methamphetamine conversion labs. Further 

investigation led to the interception of a parcel sent via 

USPS Express mail to Honolulu from a source of 

supply in Los Angeles. The parcel contained 14 

pounds of crystal methamphetamine concealed in the 

pots of artificial plants. As a result, members of HIIMPACT Oahu 3 coordinated with personnel from Los 

Angeles HIDTA Groups 41 and 42 to execute search 

warrants on the Los Angeles source and other members 

of this drug trafficking organization where additional 

drugs and assets were recovered. This investigation 

spawned other cases and to date has resulted in the 

arrest of at least 18 people and the recovery of $1.2 

million, 21 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 4 

pounds of marijuana, 5 firearms, and 3 vehicles. 

24
“The Hawaii Fugitive Task Force is committed 

to a united law enforcement effort in the 

apprehension of violent career criminals. This 

practice is one component that will enable us to 

ensure safer communities throughout our 

beautiful State. Unity in law enforcement is key 

to the success of this HIDTA initiative. ” 

Mark M. "Dutch" Hanohano 

United States Marshal 

District of Hawaii 

\

“The HIDTA program through its policy 

direction and guidelines has significantly 

changed and improved the working relationships 

and information sharing among Hawaii law 

enforcement agencies. HIDTA’s and WSIN’s 

partnering through our intelligence database and 

Watch Center Services is important in the 

aggressive strategy to identify, dismantle, or 

disrupt, major drug trafficking organizations 

operating in the State of Hawaii” 

Kenneth Tano 

Regional Coordinator 

Western States Information Network

25
HIDTA Strategy Summary 

Section V. 

The Hawaii HIDTA Strategy is the plan adopted by the Executive Board 

to cooperatively place manpower and resources into initiatives and task 

forces to counter the threat created by illicit drug trafficking. 

THE FOLLOWING CONDENSED SUMMARY IS PRESENTED AS A CONVENIENCE: 

The Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board, through its Oversight Committees has devised a 

well planned strategy to counter the drug threat facing Hawaii and the surrounding 

region. The Hawaii HIDTA program is comprised of operational task forces and 

intelligence and support initiatives. Five subsystems are defined in the Hawaii Strategy: 

Intelligence, Investigation, Interdiction, Prosecution, and Support. Within the five 

subsystems are 21 multi-agency initiatives or task forces designed to target specific 

threats and needs: 

The Hawaii HIDTA approach is to, where possible, collocate and commingle law 

enforcement personnel from all the participating agencies and departments. This 

enhances the sharing of strategic and tactical information; thus providing a consolidated 

and comprehensive response to counter illicit drug activity. 

HAWAII HIDTA INITIATIVES 

Intelligence: 

Investigative Support Center (ISC) 

Combined Intelligence Units (CIU) 

Western States Information Network (WSIN) 

Interdiction: 

Domestic Interdiction 

Foreign Interdiction 

Marijuana Eradication Task Force 

Investigative: 

HI-IMPACT, Oahu 1, Oahu 2, Oahu 3 

HI-IMPACT, Maui 

HI-IMPACT, Kauai 

HI-IMPACT, Hilo, Kona 

Money Laundering/Asset Forfeiture TF 

Project Safe Neighborhood Task Force 

Fugitive Task Force 

Rapid Reduction Drug Unit 

Prosecution: 

Hawaii HIDTA Prosecution Initiative 

Support: 

Management & Coordination Initiative 

Hawaii HIDTA Training Program 

Clandestine Laboratory Coordination 

26
INTELLIGENCE SUBSYSTEM 

Investigative Support Center (ISC) – The ISC provides operational case support 

through telephone toll analysis, document analysis, link analysis, and produces 

intelligence products such as intelligence profiles, charts, and graphs. Since it was 

established, utilization of the Hawaii HIDTA ISC and intelligence infrastructure has more 

than doubled each year. The ISC is coordinated by two supervisors, one federal and one 

state/local, who direct, assign, and staff analysts and other personnel in providing support 

to HIDTA task forces and the management of the HIDTA. The ISC also provides 

strategic support through post seizure analysis, trend analysis, and threat assessments. 

Combined Intelligence Units (CIU) – The CIU initiative combines the Criminal 

Intelligence Units of the police departments into a formidable targeting component. The 

CIUs provide a comprehensive intelligence picture of illicit drug trafficking and 

organized crime activities in the four major counties. The intelligence is used to initiate 

or enhance priority investigations and to produce HIDTA intelligence summaries, 

bulletins, and reports. 

Western States Information Network - The Regional WSIN Coordinator and staff are 

located within the ISC. Event and subject deconfliction are mandated by the Executive 

Board and are requested through WSIN via telephone, fax or personal appearance at the 

ISC. Compliance with the GCIP has been obtained and is maintained, by Virtual Private 

Network connectivity through WSIN with other HIDTA’s through direct connection to 

this major law enforcement network. 

INVESTIGATIVE SUBSYSTEM 

HI IMPACT Task Forces - HI IMPACT is the largest of the HIDTA sponsored 

initiatives and the main investigative arm of the Hawaii HIDTA. HI IMPACT has a 

focus on long term, complex, multi-jurisdictional case activity that disrupts and 

dismantles international, regional, and local drug trafficking organizations. HI IMPACT 

cultivates informants and develops investigative leads usually tied to west coast HIDTAs 

and other jurisdictions on the continental U.S. HI IMPACT targets major drug 

organizations operating throughout the Hawaii HIDTA region and has components on all 

four major islands. Three task force groups operate on Oahu, two on the Big Island of 

Hawaii, one on Maui, and one on Kauai. All task forces are linked electronically through 

the ISC. 

Money Laundering/Asset Forfeiture Task Force – The Money Laundering/Asset 

Forfeiture Initiative targets drug related money laundering operations throughout the 

region. Their goal is to gather and analyze intelligence that will be used to identify, 

criminally investigate, and prosecute organizations that utilize assets, real property, and 

suspicious financial transactions to facilitate drug trafficking activities and launder 

money of drug traffickers. 

27 
Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force – PSN removes guns from the street by 

targeting chronic violent drug offenders. The Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force 

conducts joint multi-agency investigations to purchase quantities of firearms and 

narcotics from targeted individuals. It joins forces with the Prosecutorial initiative to 

determine the optimal solution for addressing gun violence and narcotics trafficking. 

This initiative formulates a joint strategy and assesses whether gun cases are most 

appropriately prosecuted at the state or federal level. 

Fugitive Task Force – The Hawaii Fugitive Task Force specifically targets dangerous 

individuals who continue criminal activity while on bail or in a fugitive status. The group 

is located on Oahu, but serves all counties by conducting joint “round-up” operations on 

all islands. 

INTERDICTION SUBSYSTEM 

Domestic Interdiction - The Domestic Interdiction task force is responsible for 

investigating domestic air flights and the massive amount of domestic parcels and cargo 

arriving daily that keeps Hawaii’s economy active. The Domestic Interdiction task force 

is designed to identify persons and organizations utilizing the commercial airports, U.S. 

mail facilities, and private shipping firms within the State of Hawaii to facilitate the 

movement of illegal drugs and drug proceeds throughout the State. 

Foreign Interdiction - The Foreign Interdiction task force is responsible for 

investigating air and marine traffic originating in foreign ports. It is designed to identify 

persons and organizations utilizing international travel and commerce to facilitate the 

movement of illegal drugs and drug proceeds throughout the region intended for Hawaii 

or transiting to the continental U.S. and other foreign destinations. 

Marijuana Eradication – The Marijuana Eradication initiative is designed to 

complement the Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program (DCE/SP) 

administered by DEA and the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural 

Resources. This program annually suppresses marijuana cultivation within the Hawaii 

HIDTA region. It is designed to provide resources that are lacking under the larger 

DCE/SP program. The intelligence developed relating to marijuana cultivation and 

trafficking supplements the on-going intelligence initiatives within the ISC. 

PROSECUTION SUBSYSTEM 

Prosecution - The Prosecution initiative makes available the full time services of a 

county attorney that is deputized with federal powers, collocated in the main HIDTA 

office space. The primary objectives of the Hawaii HIDTA Prosecutorial initiative are to 

increase the level of coordination and information sharing among all interdiction and 

investigative initiatives, to provide prompt legal guidance to all investigative task forces 

during the investigative stage and to effectively and efficiently prosecute the cases 

developed by or through HIDTA. 

28 
SUPPORT SUBSYSTEM 

Management and Coordination - provides the day to day management and supervision 

of the overall Hawaii HIDTA program including financial and administrative 

management. Consolidation of these functions under this initiative provides direct 

support to the other HIDTA subsystems. HIDTA funded positions in this initiative are 

the Director, Administrative Assistant, Fiscal Officer, and Program Analyst. 

Training - identifies training needs by the HIDTA initiatives and either coordinates 

available training at other agencies or develops HIDTA sponsored training programs. 

The main goal of the Training initiative is to provide resources and improve the ability of 

investigative and analytical personnel to counter drug trafficking and related criminal 

activity. The Training initiative tracks and reports on training received, equitable 

allocation, and associated costs. 

Clandestine Laboratory Coordination – The Clan Lab Coordination’s purpose is to 

standardize, train and support all “first responders” to clandestine laboratory calls; 

ensuring that all island teams are fully outfitted and have completely certified and 

operational equipment. They monitor the certification process and coordinate training in 

safely sampling, recovering, and transporting evidence. 

ALL COMPONENTS OF THE HAWAII HIDTA STRATEGY 

FUNCTION IN A UNIFIED EFFORT UNDER THE GUIDELINES 

OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. 

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD ESTABLISHES POLICY WITH 

REGARD TO ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL AND 

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS. 

THESE POLICIES ARE INCLUDED IN SIGNED 

MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPED BY 

EACH INITIATIVE WITH THE PARTICIPATING LAW 

ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, GOVERNING OPERATIONAL 

POLICIES, ASSIGNMENT, SUPERVISION AND 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS 

COMMITTING PERSONNEL TO EACH INITIATIVE. 

29 
Operation Pure Aloha 

In April 2005, law enforcement from Maui 

HI-IMPACT initiated Title III wiretaps on 

a drug trafficking organization responsible 

for transporting crystal methamphetamine 

from Las Vegas to Maui. The investigation 

targeted Nathaniel Russell, a long time 

Maui drug distributor, and his coconspirators who included a former Maui 

police officer. During the course of the 

wiretaps, law enforcement were able to 

identify the organization’s source of supply 

in Las Vegas. The investigation culminated 

in the execution of seven search warrants 

on members of the organization in Maui 

and Las Vegas. Nine people were arrested 

including Russell and his Las Vegas source. 

In addition, law enforcement seized seven 

pounds of crystal methamphetamine, over 

$50,000 in cash, five vehicles, and two 

firearms. The dismantling of this 

organization had a considerable impact on 

the availability of crystal methamphetamine 

on the island of Maui. 

30
“HIDTA bridges inter-agency differences 

between the State of Hawaii - National 

Guard, Department of Defense, and Law 

Enforcement - not only for drugs, but also 

terrorism. HIDTA’s training mission is 

advantageous in promoting intersecting 

organizational cooperation” 

Arthur “Joe” Logan 

Lieutenant Colonel 

Hawaii National Guard 

\

“HIDTA provides a unique opportunity to 

leverage the capabilities and authorities of 

local, state, and federal law enforcement 

agencies with a common goal of detecting, 

interdicting, and deterring the flow of 

drugs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.” 

CDR Bob Wilson

 Chief, Enforcement Branch

Fourteenth Coast Guard District 

31
HIDTA Performance Measures 

Section VI. 

CY 2005 IS THE SECOND YEAR OF THE HIDTA PROGRAM’S PERFORMANCE 

MEASUREMENT PROCESS (PMP). THE PMP ENSURES THAT HIDTA SPONSORED 

INITIATIVES WORK BOTH HARD AND SMART. PERFORMANCE MEASURES ARE A MEANS 

TO QUANTIFY AND TRACK HIDTA GOALS AND MONITOR HIDTA RESULTS. BY USING 

THE PMP THE HAWAII HIDTA ANNUAL REPORT FUNCTIONS AS A REPORT CARD; AN 

INDICATOR OF HIDTA EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS; A SOURCE FOR COMPARISON 

WITH PREVIOUS YEAR EFFORTS; AND A GUIDE FOR FUTURE PLANNING. 

The following series of tables and charts present specific outputs and efficiency measures 

organized by HIDTA Goals 1 and 2. These measurable results reflect a continuing Hawaii trend 

to increase efficiency and effectiveness at lower programmatic costs. 

Performance Measures for Goal 1 

In order to standardize the information used for the HIDTA performance measures, the national 

HIDTA PMP database was created to report and track drug trafficking and money laundering 

organizations throughout the nation’s 28 HIDTAs. HIDTA initiatives enter pertinent 

information on drug trafficking and money laundering organizations identified and targeted 

during their investigations and record those they disrupt and dismantle. The database is the tool 

used to generate statistics provided for performance measure core tables 1-4. 

Core TABLE 1: 

Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled for Year 2005 

Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Dismantled or Disrupted for Year 

DTOs/MLOs 

Identified 

# 

Targeted 

# 

Disrupted Targeted # Dismantled Targeted 

Dismantled 

% of 

Disrupted 

% of 

Begin 05 22 22 4 18% 2 9% 

During 05 172 119 96 81% 13 11% 

Total 05 194 141 100 71% 15 11% 

Source: HIDTA PMP Database10 

During CY 2004, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives identified 156 drug trafficking organizations (DTO) 

and/or money laundering organizations (MLO) and targeted 88 of them. By the beginning of CY 

2005, the initiatives still had 22 of the organizations identified and targeted. Throughout the year, 

32 
Hawaii HIDTA initiatives identified an additional 172 drug trafficking and/or money laundering 

organizations and targeted an additional 119 of those. By the end of the year, they were 

successful at disrupting or dismantling 82% of the organizations they targeted. 

Core TABLE 2: 

Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope for Year 

Scope # 

Identified 

# 

Targeted 

# 

Disrupted 

% of 

Targeted 

Disrupted 

# 

Dismantled 

% of 

Targeted 

Dismantled 

Total 

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

Total %

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

International 24 22 10 45% 3 14% 13 59% 

Multi-state 77 43 57 133% 3 7% 60 140% 

Local 93 76 33 43% 9 12% 42 55% 

Total 194 141 100 71% 15 11% 115 82% 

Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope for Year 2005 

Source: HIDTA PMP Database11 

Table 2 further illustrates the effect Hawaii HIDTA initiatives had on DTOs and MLOs based on 

the scope of the organization- whether the organization operates on an international, multi-state, 

or local level. 

The majority of DTOs/MLOs identified are local distribution organizations or transportation and 

distribution organizations that operate between Hawaii and the continental U.S., mostly southern 

California and Las Vegas. However, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives identified 24 DTOs/MLOs that 

operate on an international level and targeted 92% of them. 

The point can be made that Hawaii HIDTA initiatives are focused on disrupting or dismantling 

organizations tied to source countries for drugs entering the United States and who have the 

biggest impact on the country’s drug market. International DTOs/MLOs often take more time 

and effort to affect than local and multi-state DTOs/MLOs, and through their coordinated efforts, 

Hawaii HIDTA initiatives were successful at disrupting and/or dismantling 59% of these 

organizations. 

Hawaii HIDTA initiatives were also successful at disrupting or dismantling multi-state and local 

DTOs/MLOs. The number of multi-state DTOs/MLOs disrupted or dismantled was 140% of 

those targeted, including 17 organizations more than were originally targeted. This was largely 

due to the efforts of the Hawaii Interdiction Task Force. The task force focuses on interdicting 

drugs and money as they enter or leave the state rather than targeting DTOs for investigation. 

However, through their interdiction efforts, the task force does identify and inhibit the operation 

of additional DTOs, thereby disrupting or dismantling them. 

33
Core TABLE 3: 

Percentage of Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope for 

Year 2005 

Percentage of Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope for Year 

Scope # 

Identified 

# 

Targeted 

# 

Disrupted 

% of 

Targeted 

Disrupted 

# 

Dismantled 

% of 

Targeted 

Dismantled 

Total 

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

Total % 

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

International 7 7 2 29% 2 29% 4 57% 

Multi-state 13 8 8 100% 0 0% 8 100% 

Local 3 2 3 150% 0 0% 3 150% 

Total 23 17 13 76% 2 12% 15 88% 

Source: HIDTA PMP Database12 

As with DTOs, money laundering organizations are also affected by the efforts of Hawaii 

HIDTA initiatives. The Money Laundering Asset Forfeiture task force works closely with other 

HIDTA enforcement initiatives to impede the success of drug trafficking and money laudering 

organizations by seizing the very resources used to operate their enterprises. Money laundering 

investigations are complex and long-term by nature, and as such there are fewer investigations 

each year than for drug trafficking. During CY 2005, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives were able to 

disrupt or dismantle 88% of the 17 targeted money laundering organizations. 

Core TABLE 4: 

Operational Scope of All DTO and MLO Cases Initiated for Year 2005 

Operational Scope of All DTO and MLO Cases Initiated for Year 

# CPOT 

Cases # RPOT Cases # OCDETF Cases 

% OCDETF of 

Total Cases

International 0 0 3 14% 

Multi-state 0 0 9 21% 

Local 0 0 1 1%

Total 0 0 13 9% 

Source: HIDTA PMP Database13 

Hawaii HIDTA initiatives targeted 119 DTOs throughout CY 2005. Thirteen of the cases 

targeting these DTOs were accepted into the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force 

(OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is administered by the Department of Justice 

through the U.S. Attorney’s office. This program provides additional resources for prosecution 

of high level drug cases once they are developed through the task force process. 

Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOT) and Regional Priority Organization Targets 

(RPOT) are designations given to significant international and national drug trafficking and 

34
money laundering targets believed to be primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply. 

OCDETF revises and maintains the CPOT list on an annual basis whereas individual agents and 

task force officers submit RPOT candidates based on such factors as the organization’s structure, 

scope, and level of activity. OCDETF investigations are typically long term, multi-defendant, 

and multi-jurisdictional in impact. Hawaii HIDTA law enforcement personnel link 

investigations to CPOTs or RPOTs through multi-jurisdictional OCDETF cases involving joint 

investigation with other HIDTAs and/or other law enforcement investigations from other regions 

of the continental United States. CPOT/RPOT linkage typically occurs as the investigations 

mature. Calendar year 2005 OCDETF investigations continuing into CY 2006 have, as yet, not 

identified CPOT and RPOT links to these organizations. 

Core TABLE 5: 

Drugs Removed from the Marketplace for Year 2005 

Drugs Removed from the Marketplace for Year 

Drug Seized (kg or D.U.) Amount Seized 

(kg/D.U.) Wholesale Value 

heroin kg 6.585 $460,950 

cocaine HCL kg 11.984 $461,384 

crack cocaine kg 0.048 $2,304 

marijuana kg 351.930 $5,430,983 

marijuana plants 115699.774 $1,785,478,912 

methamphetamine kg 0.006 $108 

methamphetamine ice kg 122.025 $5,918,212 

ecstasy (MDMA) (D.U.s) 2050.000 $61,500 

Total Wholesale Value $1,797,814,354 

Sources: HIDTA PMP Database14 

DTOs are like legitimate businesses in that they develop a product and deliver it to the public for 

the best profit they can. They work on the theory of “supply and demand” whereby prices 

fluctuate based on the availability of the drugs. Table 5 illustrates the profound impact Hawaii 

HIDTA task forces had on the availability of the DTOs product -- illicit drugs. The table shows 

the value of drugs seized based on wholesale prices, showing the economic impact of removing 

these drugs from the marketplace. 

THE HAWAII HIDTA CATEGORIZES ILLICIT DRUGS INTO TIERS, 

BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEMS THEY POSE TO HAWAII’S 

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CITIZENS. 

In the first-tier are crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, the two drugs causing the most 

serious problems to Hawaii’s citizens. Wholesale prices for crystal methamphetamine declined 

35 
 

about 21 percent and commercial grade marijuana declined about 7 percent during CY 2005. 

However, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives still removed 122 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine 

from the marketplace with a wholesale value of $5.4 million. 

Statewide marijuana eradication efforts led by DEA and the State Department of Land and 

Natural Resource eliminated hundreds of thousands of marijuana plants before they were 

harvested, processed, and entered into the marketplace. These efforts draw resources from the 

other HIDTA initiatives and task forces when needed for eradication operations. The Marijuana 

Initiative drastically increased the overall value of drugs removed from the marketplace 

accounting for nearly $1.8 billion and points to the profound effect the Hawaii HIDTA region 

has on the illicit drug trade. 

Core TABLE 6: 

Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace by Law

Enforcement Initiatives for Year 2005 

Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace by Law Enforcement 

Initiatives for Year 

Year Budget 

Baseline Drug 

Wholesale 

Value 

Targeted 

Drug ROI 

Drug Wholesale 

Value Removed 

From Market 

Actual Drug 

ROI 

2004 $1,678,740 $2,786,421,250 $1,660 $2,938,176,574 $1,750 

2005 $2,977,609 $2,786,421,250 $936 $1,797,814,354 $604 

SOURCE: HIDTA PMP Database15 

The bottom line for any business, including drug trafficking organization is how successful they 

are at turning a profit. During CY 2005, nearly $1.8 billion in illicit drug profits were 

permanently eliminated from the balance sheets of regional DTOs. This represents a sizeable 

reduction in illicit drug availability and a severe blow to drug traffickers. 

Tables 6, 7, and 8 not only demonstrate the effectiveness of seizing illicit drugs and drug assets, 

but also show the Hawaii HIDTA’s return-on-investment (ROI) -- the cost of the program in 

relationship to the sum total of seizures. Effectiveness is illustrated by the ROI and how much 

money the Hawaii HIDTA spends on enforcement efforts compared to the value of drugs and 

assets seized as a result of those efforts. The ROI is a measurement of how cost-effective the 

HIDTA Program is in its enforcement efforts on drug availability. 

Hawaii HIDTA is funded through federal tax dollars. Therefore, it is encouraging to know that 

for every Hawaii HIDTA $1 spent on law enforcement, prosecution, and investigative support 

activities, $604 in illicit drugs and $2 in drug-related assets were removed from the market. 

The Hawaii HIDTA initiatives achieved a noteworthy combined ROI of $606 for every $1 of 

Hawaii HIDTA funds invested. 

36 
Core TABLE 7: 

 Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law

Enforcement Initiatives for Year 2005 

Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives for Year 

Year Budget Baseline Value 

of Drug Assets 

Targeted 

Asset ROI 

Value of Drug Assets Removed From 

Market 

Actual Asset 

ROI 

Cash 

Other 

Assets Total 

2004 $1,678,740 $1,500,000 $1 $4,057,226 $1,297,088 $5,354,314 $3 

2005 $2,977,609 $1,500,000 $1 $5,724,102 $1,478,842 $7,202,944 $2 

SOURCE: ONDCP, Strategy, HIDTA PMP Database16 

Core TABLE 8: 

 Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and Assets Removed from the Marketplace 

by Law Enforcement Initiatives for Year 2005 

Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law 

Enforcement Initiatives for Year 

Drugs and 

Drugs and Targeted Total Assets Actual Total Year Budget Assets Baseline ROI Removed From ROI 

Market 

2004 $1,678,740 $2,787,921,250 $1,661 $2,943,530,888 $1,753 

2005 $2,977,609 $2,787,921,250 $937 $1,805,017,298 $606 17 SOURCE: ONDCP, Strategy, HIDTA PMP Database

It should be noted that marijuana enforcement in Hawaii is mainly funded through the Hawaii 

HIDTA and the Domestic Cannabis Eradication & Suppression Program (DCE/SP). However, 

the Hawaii HIDTA provides both direct and indirect support to this effort by way of pooling 

equipment, overtime, and man power from the Investigative and Interdiction Task Forces as well 

providing analytical services through the ISC. Therefore, eradication statistics are not divided 

between the two programs but are counted as a whole. Consequently, the Hawaii DCE/SP 

budget of $1.2 million was combined with the Hawaii HIDTA enforcement & intelligence 

budget of $1.7 million to credit all funding sources and more accurately depict the drug ROI. 

As shown in the tables above, the Hawaii HIDTA used $2.8 billion in illicit drugs and $1.5 

million in drug assets as a baseline to target seizures in 2005. Using the combined HIDTA and 

DCE/SP budgets and the drug and asset seizure baseline, the Hawaii HIDTA targeted an ROI of 

$937 per $1 dollar spent. Although the actual ROI came in lower at $606 per $1 spent, the result 

still had a remarkable effect on drug profits. 

The difference in the targeted ROI and the actual ROI was mainly due to two factors. The first 

was the inclusion of DCE/SP funding with Hawaii HIDTA funding this year which nearly 

doubled the budget used to calculate the ROI. The second factor was the 34 percent reduction in 

37
marijuana eradication from CY 2004 to CY 2005. These factors led to an overall reduction in 

the value of drugs and assets removed from the market and an increase in funding used for 

enforcement actions. Nevertheless, the Hawaii HIDTA ROI of $608 per $1 spent is a 

noteworthy accomplishment. 

Core TABLE 9: 

 Prosecution Initiative Cost per Investigation for Year 2005 

Hawaii HIDTA Cost per Investigation by Year 

Year Investigations 

Baseline 

Investigations 

Projected 

Investigations 

Handled % Handled 

2004 19 50 19 38% 

2005 19 20 29 145% 

SOURCE: PMP Database18 

CY 2004 served as a baseline for projecting the number of investigations handled by the 

Prosecution Initiative during CY 2005. Even with a slight decrease in their budget the initiative 

handled nine more investigations than projected for a 145% increase. 

Core TABLE 10: 

Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories Dismantled by Size for Year 2005

Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories 

Dismantled by Size for Year 

Meth Cost Per 

Ounce $2,300 

Lab Size ID/Targeted Dismantled 

Value of 

Labs 

Dismantled 

A. Less 2 Oz 0 14 $64,400 

B. 2 - 8 Oz 0 0 $0 

C. 9 Oz - 16 

Oz 0 0 $0 

D. 32 - 144 

Oz 0 0 $0 

E. 160 - 320 

Oz 0 0 $0 

F. Over 320 

Oz 0 0 $0 

Total 0 14 $64,400 

SOURCE: National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, HIDTA PMP Database19 

Hawaii has one of the highest per-capita consumption rates of crystal methamphetamine in the 

nation, but has not traditionally been a major manufacturing center. However, it is believed that 

there is more conversion of powder methamphetamine to “ice” than is currently reported. 

38 
Historically local departments have bagged and logged small amounts of dry glassware as 

evidence of drug abuse, even though it might relate to small personal conversion labs. As a 

result, that evidence would not be reported as part of clandestine lab activity. Unless a 

clandestine laboratory event is reported to the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), it officially 

didn’t happen. EPIC is the designated repository for the nation’s clandestine laboratory 

information and intelligence. Through continued training of all police units within the state, 

HIDTA will ensure proper reporting. 

Underreporting aside, 14 clandestine labs were reported to EPIC’s Clandestine Lab Seizure 

System (CLSS) for the state of Hawaii during CY 2005. Most of these labs were conversion or 

“wash” operations whereby cooks will convert powder methamphetamine to crystal 

methamphetamine. The production capacity of these labs were all under 2 ounces per cook 

indicating that the lab operators were likely retail level dealers or were producing for personal 

use. Collectively the 14 labs were capable of producing nearly $64,000 worth of crystal 

methamphetamine every time they were operated. 

Core TABLE 11: 

HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities for Year 2005 

Clandestine Laboratory Activities for Year 

Baseline #Projected # Identified % Identified 

Laboratory Dump Sites 

Seized 1 1 1 100% 

Chemical/ Glassware/ 

Equipment Seized 1 1 2 200% 

Children Affected 8 8 4 50% 

SOURCE: National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, HIDTA PMP Database20 

In addition to clandestine labs, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives seized one lab dump site, found two 

instances of chemical/glassware/equipment, and identified four children affected at the site of a 

clandestine lab. One instance occurred in June 2005 when police raided a self-storage facility 

under the H-1 freeway in Honolulu. Police found various chemicals and a large amount of 

glassware consistent with the production of crystal methamphetamine as well as PCP. 

Finding children at the site of a clandestine lab is often an unfortunate aspect of an officer’s or 

agent’s job. The concern for these children is not only the possibility of an explosion but the 

exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals and the neglect that these children are often faced with. 

The baseline and number targeted for children affected at a lab site in CY 2005 was set at eight 

based on CY 2004 results. The number identified (4) was only 50 percent of that targeted, 

although this is probably one performance measure the Hawaii HIDTA doesn’t mind falling 

short on. Based on these numbers, the hope is that there were fewer children exposed to the 

dangers of clandestine labs last year. 

39 
HIDTA Training Efficiency by Type of Training for Year 

# Students 

Targeted 

for 

Training 

# Students 

Actually 

Trained 

# Training 

Hours 

Actually 

Provided 

Total Training 

Cost Training Cost per Hour 

Type of Training 

2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 % Change 

2004-2005 

Analytical/ 

Computer 0 20 21 169 760 2653 $14,827 $28,016 $19.51 $10.56 -46% 

Investigative/ 

Interdiction 0 359 859 643 33928 11814 $39,654 $46,363 $1.17 $3.92 235% 

Management/ 

Administrative 0 25 24 65 536 412 $17,104 $13,969 $31.91 $33.91 6% 

Other: 

Meeting/Conference 0 15 0 15 0 312 $0 $20,809 $0 $66.70 0% 

Total 0 419 904 892 35224 15191 $71,585 $109,157 $2.03 $7.18 254% 

Performance Measures for Goal 2 

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of initiatives the Hawaii HIDTA promotes and 

encourages information sharing. The Hawaii HIDTA also provides a strong training program to 

enhance the knowledge and skills of participating personnel and staff. 

Core TABLE 12: 

HIDTA Training Efficiency by Type of Training for Year 2005 

Source: HIDTA PMP Database21 

During CY 2005 the Hawaii HIDTA identified training needs for the task force and initiative 

personnel. The training initiative also coordinated training for participating agencies and 

departments through HIDTA sponsored training programs. The goal is to improve the 

investigative ability and professionalism of participating personnel to counter drug trafficking 

and related criminal activity. 

The difference between CY 2004 and CY 2005 investigative/interdiction “training hours actually 

provided” decreased by approximately 20,000 hours because the Hawaii HIDTA cosponsored a 

one-time-only international training conference in CY 2004. This action drastically lowered 

“training cost per hour” in CY 2004, causing a comparative rise in CY 2005. 

The Hawaii HIDTA has used the lure of the Hawaiian Islands to attract high quality instructors 

from all over the mainland U.S. By holding localized training for many students, instead flying a 

select few to the mainland, the Hawaii HIDTA has been able to leverage training resources to 

reach more personnel at a lower cost per pupil ratio. The training initiative also tracks and 

reports on training received, ensuring equitable allocation in addition to lowering associated 

costs. The HIDTA training facility hosts up to 80 students in a classroom setting or 100 in a 

lecture only venue. Unfortunately management and administrative training conferences which 

are mandated by ONDCP/NHPO are usually held on the continental U.S. These classes incur 

higher travel costs and negatively impact the cost per pupil ratio. 

40
Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Event and Case Deconfliction Services 

for Year 

Year 

Total HIDTA Law 

Enforcement 

Initiatives 

# Initiatives 

Targeted to Use 

Services 

# 

Initiatives 

Using 

% Initiatives 

Using 

2004 8 7 7 100% 

2005 8 7 7 100% 

Source: PMP Database22 

Core TABLE 13: 

Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Event and Case Deconfliction Services for Year 2005 

For CY 2005 the Hawaii HIDTA had a total of eight law enforcement initiatives which includes 

the Prosecutorial Initiative. Seven of the initiatives were targeted to use deconfliction services 

provided through WSIN. Because the Prosecutorial Initiative does not conduct operational 

activity they have no basis for participation in WSIN deconfliction services and were not part of 

the targeted number. All of the initiatives targeted did, in fact, use these services resulting in 

100% participation. 

Core TABLE 14: 

Percentage of Event and Case Deconflictions Submitted for Year 

Year 

Baseline # 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

# 

Deconfliction 

Submissions 

Targeted 

# Event 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

# 

Case/Subject 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

Total 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

% 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

2004 9393 10400 2234 9797 12031 116% 

2005 9393 12100 2677 8537 11214 93% 

Percentage of Event and Case Deconflictions Submitted for Year 2005 

SOURCE: PMP Database23 

Deconfliction services are essential for the safety of law enforcement personnel. Operations can 

result in dangerous encounters if personnel cross paths and are unaware of each other. A MOU 

among the participating agencies mandates that all HIDTA enforcement initiatives will 

participate in WSIN deconfliction and submit operational activity (e.g. undercover buys, search 

warrants, etc.) to the WSIN Watch Center. 

During CY 2005, the Watch Center reported 138 location conflicts, 5 percent of which were in 

conflict with other operations. Thus, by using WSIN deconfliction services law enforcement 

personnel were able to avoid several potentially dangerous and conflicting situations. 

41 
Core TABLE 15: 

Percentage of Cases Provided Analytical Support for Year 

Year 

Baseline # Cases 

Receiving 

Analytical Support 

# Cases 

Targeted for 

Analytical 

Support 

# Cases 

Provided 

Analytical 

Support 

% Targeted Cases 

Supported 

2004 22 30 68 226% 

2005 22 70 44 62% 

Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical Support for Year 2005 

Source: PMP Database24 

Tables 15 and 16 are performance measures for the efficiency and effectiveness of HIDTA 

initiatives by way of coordinated intelligence and information sharing. 

The Hawaii HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) is the intelligence arm for Hawaii 

HIDTA initiatives and task forces. The unit is comprised of personnel from DEA, HPD, ICE, 

Hawaii National Guard, and HIDTA contract analysts. 

The ISC promotes intelligence led policing. Intelligence led policing allows HIDTA task forces 

and initiatives to become proactive instead of reactive to the illicit drug threats facing our 

communities by targeting investigations based on thoroughly researched data. ISC analysis links 

smaller investigations together by highlighting relationships; providing investigators with a 

clearer picture of organizational hierarchy. 

By pooling resources from various agencies, analysts have access to a variety of criminal 

intelligence and open source databases, thus making information sharing more simple and 

effective. Analysts use these and other electronic resources to provide case support through 

telephone toll and pen register analysis, link analysis, event analysis, post seizure analysis, and 

financial investigative analysis. 

Although the ISC targeted 70 investigations for analytical support during CY 2005, they only 

met 62 percent of their goal. However, this is likely due to the large reduction in staff between 

2004 and 2005 when Hawaii National Guard analytical personnel were deployed to Iraq. For the 

majority of 2004, the ISC had seven full-time and two part-time analysts. During 2005, the ISC 

was down to four full-time analysts and one part-time analyst. The deployment of the full-time 

analysts assigned from the Hawaii National Guard resulted in a loss of 45 percent of the ISC’s 

manpower. This loss made it difficult for the ISC to provide support to the same number of 

investigations as the previous year. However, the remaining staff supported an average of ten 

cases each throughout the year often handling several at a time. 

42 
Core TABLE 16: 

 Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Cases Referred to Other HIDTAs and Other Agencies for 

Year 2005 

Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Cases Referred to Other HIDTAs and Other Agencies for Year 

Year 

Total 

HIDTA 

Initiative 

Cases 

# Initiative 

Cases 

Targeted 

for 

Referral 

# HIDTA 

Initiative 

Cases 

Referred to 

Other HIDTAs 

# HIDTA 

Initiative 

Cases 

Referred to 

Other 

Agencies 

Total 

Initiative 

Cases 

Referred 

% Targeted 

Initiative 

Cases 

Referred 

2004 567 10 14 14 140% 

2005 272 14 25 25 178% 

Source: PMP Database25 

Data for Table 16 was taken from monthly initiative reports which only asked for case referrals, 

but did not differentiate between referrals to other HIDTAs and other agencies. Often times law 

enforcement personnel refer cases to other agencies not knowing that they are part of another 

HIDTA initiative. Because it is difficult to differentiate which cases are referred to other 

HIDTAs versus other agencies, all case referrals are indicated under the “...Referred to Other 

Agencies” column. 

Procedure requires the timely referral of seizure cases to other HIDTA task forces and/or 

mainland law enforcement agencies for controlled deliveries. Case activity within the 

interdiction task forces occur at a rapid rate, especially the seizures associated with the 

international mail branch. Within the large number of interdiction investigations, it is believed 

there were many more referrals to mainland law enforcement that went unreported. Controlled 

deliveries are worked within short time constraints to transport the contraband forward to its 

intended destination on time so that the subjects of the investigation are not alerted of the 

intercept. 

Despite what appears to be a low number of case referrals, Hawaii HIDTA participating 

agencies regularly work joint investigations involving several agencies and/or task forces. Law 

enforcement agencies rely on one another for resources and manpower. 

Rarely are investigations conducted that do not involve at least one of the county police 

departments and one or more federal agencies. These joint investigations are not captured in the 

PMP tables. However, this cooperative effort is the cornerstone of the HIDTA Program and is 

practiced on a daily basis among Hawaii’s law enforcement. 

The Hawaii HIDTA Management & Coordination staff will continue its efforts to resolve 

possible underreporting through training and policy guidance. 

43 
-

Threat Specific Measures 

The goal of the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force is to bring together multi-agency law enforcement 

personnel and resources to aggressively apprehend felony fugitives, particularly those wanted for 

drug trafficking, violent drug trafficking offenses, weapons offenses and money laundering at the 

local, national, and international level. 

Threat Specific TABLE 1: 

 Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended for Year 2005 

Hawaii HIDTA Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended for Year 

Year # Identified # Targeted 

% 

Targeted 

of 

Identified 

# Apprehended Apprehended % 

of Targeted 

2004 100 426 426% 

2005 426 435 102% 

Source: Hawaii Fugitive Task Force26 

Table 1 illustrates that the initiative again exceeded the number of fugitives targeted for 

apprehension in CY 2005. Their success was due, in part, to their participation in Operation 

Falcon, a nationwide effort to apprehend felony fugitives. The sweep, led by the United States 

Marshals Service, succeeded in arresting 133 Hawaii fugitives. 

Threat Specific TABLE 2: 

Value of Outdoor Marijuana Plants Eradicated for Year 2005 

Hawaii HIDTA Value of Outdoor Marijuana Plants Eradicated for Year 

Mj Cost Per Plant $7,000 

Year 

# Plants on State 

Land 

Identified/Targeted 

# Plants on Non State 

Land 

Identified/Targeted 

Total # Marijuana 

Plants 

Eradicated 

Value of Marijuana 

Plants Eradicated 

2004 200,000 180,000 386,450 $2,705,150,000 

2005 224,380 162,070 251,168 $1,758,176,000 

Source: 2005 Hawaii HIDTA Initiative Statistics27 

Agricultural and weather conditions make Hawaii an optimal location to cultivate marijuana in 

the nutrient rich volcanic soil, hidden from view by tropical forests. Cultivators find it to their 

advantage to grow marijuana on public property rather than their own to avoid having it seized 

should they be caught by authorities. However, it is disruptive to the preservation of Hawaii’s 

natural resources and native ecosystems and is therefore in the best interest of law enforcement 

to eradicate marijuana found on this land. Through coordinated efforts by members of DCE/SP 

and the Hawaii HIDTA Marijuana Task Force, forty-seven percent of the state’s outdoor 

marijuana was eradicated on public, state-owned land. 

44 
-

Threat Specific TABLE 3: 

 Value of Indoor Marijuana Plants Eradicated for Year 2005 

Hawaii HIDTA Value of Indoor Marijuana Plants Eradicated for Year 

Mj Cost Per Plants $7,000 

Year # Indoor Plants 

Identified/Targeted 

Total # Indoor 

Plants 

Eradicated 

Value of Indoor 

Marijuana Plants 

Eradicated 

2004 N/A 2,312 $16,184,000 

2005 2,312 3,950 $27,650,000 

Source: 2005 Hawaii HIDTA Initiative Statistics28 

The amount of outdoor marijuana plant eradication has steadily declined over the last three 

years. Conversely, the number of indoor marijuana grows has increased each year. It is believed 

that this is largely due to the statewide eradication missions conducted jointly by the Honolulu 

Police Department (HPD), Maui Police Department (MPD), Hawaii Police Department (HCPD), 

and Kauai Police Department (KPD), the state Department of Land and Natural Resources 

(DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), and the Drug 

Enforcement Administration (DEA) coordinated through the DCE/SP program and the Hawaii 

HIDTA Marijuana Task Force. 

Threat Specific TABLE 4: 

 Wholesale Value of Marijuana Seized by Location for Year 2005 

Hawaii HIDTA Wholesale Value of Marijuana Seized by Location for Year 

Location 

Baseline Value 

of Marijuana 

Seized 

# Plants 

Seized 

Amount Processed 

Marijuana Seized 

in pounds 

# 

Eradication 

Charges 

Wholesale 

Value of 

Marijuana 

Seized 

Outdoor 

State $1,682,850,000 120,682 N/A N/A $844,774,000 

Outdoor 

Non State $1,230,487,500 130,486 754 746 $918,680,000 

Indoor $17,610,000 3,950 23 28 $27,811,000 

Source: 2005 Hawaii HIDTA Initiative Statistics29 

Law enforcement personnel are able to strategically coordinate and conduct three to four day 

missions on each island year round because of the state’s temperate climate. Local marijuana 

cultivators are aware of law enforcement efforts to destroy their crops, and have started turning 

to indoor grows to avoid detection. Despite the decline CY 2005, outdoor eradication efforts still 

led to removal of nearly 128 tons of marijuana at a wholesale value of $1.8 billion. This is a 

considerable impact on both the state and the nation’s drug market to say the least. 

45 
Conclusion 

Section VII. 

CY 2005 IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT THE HAWAII HIDTA HAS 

REPORTED OPERATIONAL TARGETS AND SUBSEQUENT OUTCOMES 

USING A NEW PMP PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM BASED ON 

EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS. 

The preceding tables illustrate how the two main Hawaii HIDTA goals are clearly on target. 

Identifiable evidence of successful initiative and task force productivity is present throughout the 

report leading to the conclusion that drug availability is being reduced, DTOs are being disrupted 

or dismantled (Goal 1), and that it is being done efficiently and effectively through participation 

in the HIDTA program (Goal 2). 

HIDTA leadership, both nationally and locally, through the Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board, 

and the agencies/departments they represent, envisioned that we could do more by becoming 

even more proactive and cost efficient. Therefore, measurable results for each federal dollar 

spent was adopted as a key component of the new PMP focus on meaningful outcomes. CY 

2005 continues the theme that now gives direction on how every Hawaii HIDTA initiative and 

task force approaches its effort to reduce drug crime and its harmful consequences. 

An initiative that improves its performance without an increase in funding not only illustrates an 

increase in efficiency or effectiveness but also points to positive behavioral changes by Hawaii 

HIDTA program participants. Other positive outcomes are also revealed through careful 

examination of the tables set forth in this report. 

KEY QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED . . . 

\ Are law enforcement agencies working together better and more effectively? 

\ Is information reaching the people who need it? 

\ Have traditional barriers among different law enforcement agencies been eroded sufficiently 

that these entities can find a common ground to pursue common goals? 

\ Are we making real progress in addressing illicit drug trafficking? 

\ Has the Hawaii HIDTA contributed to achieving these outcomes? 

The results set forth in this CY 2005 Annual Report suggest that all these questions can be 

answered affirmatively......Yes. 

46
Historically, Hawaii’s law enforcement community has always cooperated with each other in a 

spirit of “kõkua”. However, it was uncommon to share strategic or operational information for 

fear of a breach of security or confidentiality. Hawaii’s unique geographic structure of having 

ocean boundaries both between individual counties and between the continental U.S. also made 

joint law enforcement efforts even more complicated. 

THE ADVENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPRISED OF HAWAII’S TOP 

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS AND 

EXECUTIVES HAS CAUSED BARRIERS TO CRUMBLE. 

There has been a steady increase in the number of initiatives, the number of participants and 

participating agencies, and the availability and coordination of intelligence resources and 

enforcement efforts. 

The HIDTA program has opened the door to commingling and collocation of participating 

federal, state and, local agency/department personnel and resources. This partnership has led to 

the disruption and dismantling of larger scale drug trafficking organizations. Seventy-three of 

the 115 DTOs disrupted and/or dismantled in CY 2005 were international and/or multi-state 

organizations. These are the very type of organizations that supply our local drug markets with 

illicit drugs. 

In addition to targeting large scale DTOs, Hawaii HIDTA initiatives are increasingly effective 

when it comes to disturbing their supply chain. During 2005, initiatives seized 122 kilograms of 

crystal methamphetamine, 115,700 pounds of marijuana, 12 kilograms of cocaine, 6.6 kilograms 

of heroin and 2,050 dosage units of ecstasy. These seizures, coupled with drug-related seizures 

of $7.2 million in property, currency, and assets equated to a staggering wholesale value of $1.8 

billion......from which the drug trafficking organizations plaguing Hawaii’s communities never 

profited. 

\

Hawaii HIDTA task forces and initiatives are working harder and smarter. We are developing 

outstanding investigations through intelligence led policing and in the process becoming more 

proactive instead of reactive to get in front of the drug trafficking curve and violent criminal 

element. 

Although the Hawaii HIDTA has made considerable progress during CY 2005, there is still a 

great deal of work left to do. The continuing unacceptably high levels of crystal 

methamphetamine abuse, the massive amount of marijuana grown on public lands, drug-related 

crime, domestic abuse and violence are all threats that the Hawaii HIDTA must continue to 

address. There also appears to be a re-emergence of internationally connected Asian drug 

trafficking organizations, as surprisingly 12% of the crystal methamphetamine samples tested 

that were seized by Hawaii HIDTA task forces for the last year and a half can be chemically 

traced to Asian production methods. 

47 
48 

Appendix A 

Hawaii HIDTA 

2005 Table of Organization 

DIRECTOR 

ONDCP / NHPO 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Executive Board 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Director 

COMMITTEES 

Intelligence 

Budget 

Administration 

Initiative Review 

ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORT 

SUBSYSTEM 

Management and 

Coordination 

INTELLIGENCE 

SUBSYSTEM 

INVESTIGATIVE 

SUBSYSTEM 

HI-IMPACT 

Task Forces 

Oahu I, Oahu II, Oahu III, 

Maui, Hilo, Kona, Kauai 

Fugitive 

Task Force 

INVESTIGATIVE 

SUPPORT CENTER 

Strategic 

Support Group 

Investigative 

Support Group 

WSIN 

Support Group 

Pacific Rim 

Task Force 

Clandestine Lab 

Coordination 

Prosecutors 

Initiative 

Training Initiative 

Pacific Rim 

Support Group 

▬ Direct Supervision 

▪▪▪▪ Coordination/Admin 

 Planned/Unfunded 

Marijuana 

Task Force 

Money Laundering 

Asset Forfeiture 

Task Force 

Safe Neighborhood 

Task Force 

Combined Intelligence 

Units 

INTERDICTION 

SUBSYSTEM 

Domestic Interdiction 

Task Force 

Foreign Interdiction 

Task Force 

Rapid Reduction 

Drug Unit 

PROSECUTION 

SUBSYSTEM 
Appendix B 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Executive Board Listing 

Name Title Federal/State/Local Agency 

Peter Carlisle Prosecuting Attorney Local Honolulu City &County Prosecutor’s Office 

William T. Terry Team Leader Federal U.S. Postal Inspection Service 

Charles Goodwin Special Agent in Charge Federal Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Tracy Elder Resident Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 

King C. Lum Chief of Police Local Kauai Police Department 

Anthony Williams Assistant Special Agent in Charge Federal Drug Enforcement Administration 

Clarissa Balmaseda Group Supervisor Federal Internal Revenue Service 

Mark Bennett Attorney General State State Attorney General’s Office 

Boisse Correa Chief of Police Local Honolulu Police Department 

Ed Kubo United States Attorney Federal U.S. Attorney’s Office 

Arthur “Joe” Logan Lieutenant Colonel State Hawaii National Guard 

Lawrence Mahuna Chief of Police Local Hawaii County Police Department 

Thomas Phillips Chief of Police Local Maui Police Department 

Mark “Dutch” 

Hanohano U.S. Marshal Federal U.S. Marshals Service 

Ken Tano Regional Coordinator State Western Sates Information Network 

Wayne Wills Special Agent in Charge Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

Charles Wurster Admiral Federal United States Coast Guard 

Cheryl DiPrizio Special Agent in Charge Federal Naval Criminal Investigative Service 

49
Appendices C & D 

Hawaii HIDTA 

Participating Agencies & Counties 

The following agencies/departments participate in the Hawaii HIDTA Program:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

City & County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices- Hawaii 

City & County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices-Kauai 

City & County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices- Maui 

City & County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices- Oahu 

Department of Public Safety- Narcotics Enforcement Division 

Department of Public Safety- Sheriff Division 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Federal Bureau of Prisons 

Fisheries Service 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

Hawaii County Police Department 

Hawaii HIDTA Contract Personnel 

Hawaii National Guard 

Honolulu Police Department 

Internal Revenue Service 

Joint Inter-agency Task Force- West 

Kauai Police Department 

Maui Police Department 

Naval Criminal Investigative Service 

U.S. Attorney’s Office 

U.S. Coast Guard 

U.S. Inspector General 

U.S. Marshals Service 

U.S. Postal Inspection Service 

Western States Information Network 

The following counties are part of the Hawaii HIDTA region: 

City & County of Honolulu 

Hawaii County 

Kauai County 

Maui County 

50 
2005 Annual Report 

Endnotes 

1

 Source: United States Census Bureau, American FactFinder, Table GCT-T1, 2005 Population Estimates. 2

 Source: United States Census Bureau; State and County Quick Facts 2000. 3

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism,, 2004 State of Hawaii Data

Book, Table 10.04. 4

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, 2004 State of Hawaii Data

Book, Table 7.03. 5

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Report to the Governor 2004 6

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, email from Iris Thompson, Research Statistician. 

7

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, 2004 State of Hawaii Data

Book, Table 20.04. 8

 Source: State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Report to the Governor 2004. 9

 Hawaii HIDTA Threat Analysis, “Transportation of Drugs into Hawaii.” 

10 The data for Tables 1-4 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from Hawaii HIDTA monthly initiative DTO 

stats. 

11 Ibid. 

12 Ibid. 

13 Ibid. 

14 The seizure amounts for Table 5 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from Hawaii HIDTA monthly

initiative seizure stats. The drug prices are derived from the following soures: “National Illicit Drug PricesDecember 2005” & “Illicit Drug Prices- January 2004-June 2004”, National Drug Intelligence Center; City and 

County of Honolulu Drug Prices; Hawaii Domestic Cannabis Eradication & Suppression Program; Hawaii HIDTA

2004 Annual Report. 15 The budget data for Table 6 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database by ONDCP and also includes the Hawaii 

DCE/SP budget. The drug wholesale volume removed from the marketplace is based on the seizures and values

from Table 5. 16 The budget data for Table 7 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database by ONDCP and also includes the Hawaii 

DCE/SP budget. The value of assets removed from the marketplace is submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from

Hawaii HIDTA monthly initiative seizure stats. 17 The data for Table 8 are combined drug and asset values from Tables 6 & 7. 

18 The data for Table 9 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP database from Hawaii HIDTA Prosecutorial Initiative 

stats. 

19 The data for Table 10 are submitted to EPIC’s National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System through WSIN 

Clan Lab card submissions made by Hawaii law enforcement. 20 The data for Table 11 are from the same source as Table 10. 

21 The data for Table 12 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database based on information from the National Hawaii 

Online Training Tracker (HOTT) database. These data are based on Hawaii HIDTA Training Registration forms 

required to attend HIDTA-sponsored training. 22 The data for Tables 13-14 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from the Critical Event/WSIN Database 

Activity Report: State of Hawaii, January-December 2005. 23 Ibid. 

24 The data for Table 15 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from Hawaii HIDTA ISC monthly stats. 25 The data for Table 16 are submitted to the HIDTA PMP Database from Hawaii HIDTA monthly initiative stats. 26 The data for Threat Specific Table 1 are submitted to HIDTA from the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force. 27 The data for Threat Specific Table 2-4 are submitted to HIDTA from monthly initiative stats and DCE/SP stats. 

28 Ibid. 

29 Ibid. 

51