January 15, 2025

HILO – A 32-year-old Pepe‘ekeo man, Cody Lee Ranchez Araw, was sentenced to a 10-year prison term after pleading guilty to charges of possessing fentanyl and heroin, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced today. Araw was sentenced in Hilo Circuit Court on Wednesday after remaining in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail throughout the criminal proceedings.

Araw had entered guilty pleas on October 16, 2024, to two charges: Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree for possessing 25 or more fentanyl pills, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree for possessing heroin.

According to police reports, the arrest stemmed from an incident on April 16, 2024, when Araw was contacted by law enforcement at the Suisan Warehouse in Hilo. Following the execution of narcotics search warrants, officers recovered 71.5 fentanyl pills, heroin, $505 in cash, and drug paraphernalia from Araw.

Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree is a class B felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree is a class C felony, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the Area I Vice Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department, with the cases being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney continues to emphasize its commitment to seeking justice and maintaining public safety. Anyone with information about illegal narcotics distribution is encouraged to contact the Hawai‘i Police Department Vice Section at (808) 934-8423 for East Hawai‘i, (808) 329-0423 for West Hawai‘i, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.