LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e man was arrested Tuesday after a search turned up crystal meth and several homemade explosive devices in his home, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.
LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e man was arrested Tuesday after a search turned up crystal meth and several homemade explosive devices in his home, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.
Dain Kagawa, 39, was charged with drug possession and explosives violations, and has been released pending further investigation.
The KPD worked with the Honolulu Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team and special agent bomb technicians, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and Hawai‘i Interisland Bomb Squad members to execute search warrants on Kagawa’s residence and vehicle.
During the search, bomb technicians located five homemade pyrotechnic devices resembling M80-style fireworks and an item resembling a metallic pipe bomb, along with materials consistent with manufacturing explosives.
The devices are being tested and the case remains active. Police say it is unclear what Kagawa’s goal was in constructing the explosives.
“If it was to sell, for experimenting, or just an infatuation with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) — we’re not sure,” said Bryson Ponce, KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau assistant chief.
The arrest arose from information garnered from other KPD investigations. Field burn tests were conducted and the powders were discovered to be combustible. A clear plastic packet containing a substance was later identified as crystal meth.
“We are especially grateful to our federal and county partners who helped in this joint operation, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department, who stood by in support of operational safety in the event these highly flammable and volatile materials ignited,” Ponce said.
