Kauai police arrested two men on felony drug charges Tuesday, seizing more than seven pounds of crystal methamphetamine worth roughly $1.6 million, county officials said.

The search of a home in Hanamaulu also turned up some $2,000 in cash, a stolen handgun and other illicit drugs.

Kauai police seized over seven pounds of methamphetamine from a Hanamaulu home on Tuesday.
Kauai police seized over seven pounds of methamphetamine from a Hanamaulu home on Tuesday. Courtesy: Kauai County

Hanamaulu resident Andrew Martinez, 24, of Hanamaulu, and Steven Orozco, 28, of Stockton, California, were arrested for three counts of first-degree meth trafficking, three counts of drug paraphernalia, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree theft, and alteration of identification marks prohibited, as the serial numbers on the stolen handgun had been tampered with, according to a county release.

Steven Orozco, left, and Andrew Martinez were arrested Tuesday on multiple felony drug charges.
Steven Orozco, left, and Andrew Martinez were arrested Tuesday on multiple felony drug charges. Courtesy: Kauai County

“This is the largest amount of crystal methamphetamine that the department has seized in a single incident with the take down of this drug trafficking organization,” Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry said in a statement.

“The credit and accolades go to our officers, as it is a testament to their dedication to remove drugs from our streets and capture drug dealers in our community,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of their efforts.”

Martinez and Orozco are being held in Police Cellblock. Bail has not yet been set, and the case remains an ongoing investigation, the release says.

Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry is pushing for more police accountability in Hawaii by implementing the first body camera program in the state.
Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry said the meth bust Tuesday was a record for the department. Nick Grube/Civil Beat

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