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A 48-year-old Waikapu man was arrested last week after being charged with drug and other offenses in connection with police seizure of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and heroin from a stolen vehicle last month.
Richard Auwae Jr., 48, was driving the vehicle when he was stopped and arrested on a warrant by police Crime Reduction Unit officers at 8:40 a.m. Sept. 12, police said. His 13-year-old son, a 38-year-old Wailuku man and a 27-year-old Kula woman also were in the vehicle.
After officers observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and a police canine alerted to possible drugs in the vehicle, it was impounded and a search warrant was obtained, police said. In a search of the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, police reported recovering fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and heroin.
Auwae and the other two adults were arrested, then released pending investigation of drug and other charges.
After being charged by felony information last week, Auwae was located in Waihee at 3:16 p.m. Wednesday and arrested on a $500,000 warrant charging him with three counts of attempted second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two counts of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Court records show Auwae pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Friday in 2nd Circuit Court and was released after posting a $500,000 bail bond.
The man and woman who were in the vehicle with Auwae were arrested on warrants at the time but have not been arrested in the Sept. 12 case, police said.
In another case, Auwae has pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug in connection with his arrest June 25, 2021. He posted a $300,000 bail bond to be released in that case, court records show.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.