Combatting the proliferation of illicit substances on the islands, the Hawai‘i Police Department's Vice Division has taken a chunk out of the drug trafficking network within the state. In a bold move made just last year, the department merged its two Vice units from Area I and Area II into a single, more efficient division. Now, under the leadership of Captain Edwin Buyten, the HPD has not only stepped up their game but has soared to become the state’s leader in total drug seizures—a testament to their restructured strategy. According to the official departmental report, the Vice Division's inaugural year has been marked by the confiscation of staggering amounts of drugs across the board.
In 2025 alone, the Vice officers have to manage to recover a vast array of narcotics including 75.3 pounds of methamphetamine, 20.5 pounds of cocaine, and more than 1,000 pounds of dried marijuana, alongside hundreds of related pills and edibles. The nearly one-kilogram haul of illicit fentanyl obtained by the division could have caused an unthinkable number of overdoses, echoing the severity of the drug crisis they are staunchly facing down. Interim Chief Reed Mahuna, in a statement obtained by the Hawai'i Police Department, praised the Vice unit: “The results we’re seeing are a direct reflection of the dedication, hard work, and persistence of our Vice Division officers.”
The efforts of the Vice officers also extended to seizing a large amount of drug paraphernalia, which ranged from vape devices, scales to pipes and grinders — an indication of their comprehensive approach to disrupting drug distribution networks from the roots up. On top of these drug-related recoveries, the division confiscated 73 firearms, over 1,800 rounds of ammunition, explosive materials, and significant sums of money tied to drug trafficking activities, as detailed by the police report.
The success of these operations is reflected in the numbers, with 297 arrests made for 1,146 offenses and 427 warrants issued throughout the year. "While these numbers are significant, they represent steady, disciplined work carried out behind the scenes," Captain Buyten told the Hawai'i Police Department. As they forge ahead, the HPD remains grateful for the critical role played by community tips, and the backing of state and federal agencies, all crucial in turning the tide against the drug crisis. The public is encouraged to continue participating in these efforts by using the department’s Vice tip hotlines, signaling a communal stand against the scourge of drugs on the islands.
