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$1.6 million worth of crystal meth seized, 2 arrested in Kauai bust

KHON 2, March 9, 2016

Two men were arrested on Tuesday following a drug investigation conducted by the Kauai Police Department, which led to the recovery of a large amount of crystal methamphetamine.

Based on an ongoing investigation, officers applied for and were granted a search warrant for on a home in Hanamaulu Tuesday morning.

The search led to the recovery of roughly $2,000 in cash, a stolen handgun, miscellaneous illicit drugs, and more than seven pounds of methamphetamine, which have a street value of approximately $1.6 million.

As a result of the execution of the search warrant, the home’s occupants, Andrew Martinez, 24, of Hanamaulu, and Steven Orozco, 28, of Stockton, Calif., were subsequently 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 county officials said the serial numbers on the stolen handgun had been tampered with.

“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,” said Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry. “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. I am incredibly proud of their efforts.”

The case remains as an ongoing investigation.