Opinion ID: 2517375
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Factual and Procedural Background Leading Up to the Drug Buy Case

Text: The following undisputed findings of facts (FOFs) are taken from the circuit court's order denying Akau's motion to dismiss the drug buy case: 1. On October 8, 2002, fronting 825 Keeaumoku Street, an undercover Honolulu Police Department (hereinafter HPD) police officer purchased 0.121 grams of crystal methamphetamine from [Akau] for twenty dollars. 2. On October 22, 2002, fronting 825 Keeaumoku Street, a second undercover police officer purchased 0.094 grams of crystal methamphetamine from [Akau] for twenty dollars. . . . . 4. On November 21, 2002, inside the men's restroom of Daiei located at 801 Kaheka Street, the second undercover police officer purchased 0.158 grams of crystal methamphetamine from [Akau for twenty dollars]. 5. Based on the [three] undercover transactions, a search warrant was obtained and executed on [Akau] and his personal effects on November 26, 2002. [Akau] was never arrested for the [three] underlying drug transactions. [4] 6. Upon execution of the search warrant fronting 835 Keeaumoku Street, 0.351 grams of crystal methamphetamine were found in [Akau's] possession, which resulted in [Akau's] arrest for [p]romoting a [d]angerous [d]rug in the [t]hird [d]egree, in violation of [HRS § 712-1243], and [u]nlawful [u]se of [d]rug [p]araphernalia, in violation of HRS [§] 329-43.5(a)[.] 7. On December 5, 2002 [Akau] was charged via complaint with [p]romoting a [d]angerous [d]rug in the [t]hird [d]egree and [u]nlawful [u]se of [d]rug [p]araphernalia[] in [the search warrant case], based upon the illegal narcotic and drug paraphernalia recovered during the execution of the search warrant. 8. On February 6, 2003, [Akau] pled [n]o [c]ontest as charged in [the search warrant case]. 9. On April 14, 2003, [Akau] was sentenced [as a first-time drug offender] to[,] inter alia, a term of five (5) years of probation (with one (1) year of incarceration), pursuant to HRS [§] 706-622.5 [(Supp.2003)] in [the search warrant case]. 10. On October 21, 2003, [Akau] was indicted in the instant matter for three counts of [p]romoting a [d]angerous [d]rug in the [s]econd [d]egree, in violation of HRS [§ ]712-1242(1)(c) . . ., based on the October 8, 22, and November 21, 2002, undercover drug transactions.