KPD nets a huge ‘Ice’ bust in Lihu‘e

The Kaua‘i Police Department officers have uncovered over 110 grams of crystal methamphetamine while conducting a search of a Lihu‘e home, or ice, plus over a gram of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana.

Arrested following the bust is Cresanto Tangonan, 41. Tangonan faces various drug charges including promoting a dangerous drug.

The amount of ice seized has an estimated street value of $55,000, and equates to over 1,100 “hits,” or doses, of the addictive drug, according to police and other county sources.

Over $9,600 in cash was also found and seized during the search.

Taking part in the bust was Paddy, the County of Kaua‘i’s new drug-sniffing dog.

A stronger focus in constant enforcement and information-gathering by the KPD vice unit, as well as expansion of the unit itself, has been credited with the recent increase in drug-related arrests, Mayor Bryan Baptiste said following the bust and arrest.

Paddy, a black Labrador Retriever was donated to the KPD by Larry Bowman and Falko Partners, LLC.

“This donation was made when KPD needed a drug dog and did not have the resources to acquire one,” said K.C. Lum, KPD interim chief.

“We are grateful to Mr. Bowman and Falko Partners for their support of our efforts.” Paddy is currently in training, and will be available in September for full duty in drug response efforts.

“We are just beginning to see the various components of the drug-response plan coming together,” Baptiste said . “It’s evident that enforcement efforts are in place, and I commend the vice unit for their commitment.” The community should soon see movement in the treatment area, and prevention efforts are well underway, the mayor said.

“We as a community need to express our appreciation to Mr. Bowman and Falko Partners for Paddy,” Baptiste said. “I hope others in the community will follow suit, doing what you can in the island’s drug response.”