The arrest of 51 people has crippled two drug rings headquartered on Maui, law enforcement officials say.
More arrests are pending.
The two rings are believed to have been operating as early as May 1999. The investigation of these two groups began in earnest in early 2000 by the local DEA and the Maui Police Department after the key players were identified. These are folks who dealt with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine ice and marijuana and were able to provide these drugs on a large-scale basis to a lot of folks in this community. While the arrests won't wipe out the drug problem on Maui, it will make drugs a lot less accessible, said Maui Police Chief Tom Phillips. The number arrested is believed to be the most ever in a drug raid on Maui.