Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2009 Source: Garden Island (Lihue, HI) Copyright: 2009 Kauai Publishing Co. Contact: http://kauaiworld.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964 Author: Paul Curtis KPD: DRUGS PREVALENT AT ALL PARKS LIHU'E - Not just drug use, but drug dealing, is happening at virtually every state and county park on the island, a Kaua'i Police Department narcotics officer said. Richard Rosa, acting lieutenant in the KPD Investigative Services Bureau Vice Narcotic Section, said KPD receives complaints and tips about such illegal activities on public property, and investigates as necessary. "Basically, it's happening at every county and state park," he said of dealing and use of drugs. "We have been trying to clean it up for the people. ... It's an ongoing battle." Last year, a five-month KPD operation in most of the state and county parks ended with the arrest of 20 people on 80 drug charges, including distributing methamphetamine, trafficking drugs, and sale of marijuana and cocaine, in addition to several arrests for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia, he said. Rosa would not say whether or not a similar operation is either ongoing or planned this year. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D