Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2002
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2002 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Jim Dooley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

NARCOTICS CHIEF BEING INVESTIGATED

The chief of the state's Narcotics Enforcement Division was placed on paid 
administrative leave last week pending an investigation by the state 
attorney general's office.

Keith Kamita, who has been head of narcotics enforcement since 1993, was 
told last week of the disciplinary action against him, said Sidney 
Hayakawa, deputy director for law enforcement for the State Department of 
Public Safety.

Kamita did not return messages left for him at his office and home.

Two law enforcement sources who did not want to be named because they are 
not authorized to discuss the investigation said Kamita has been accused of 
having misspent government grant money given to his agency.

One of those officials said the investigation centers on whether Kamita 
spent the money for law enforcement purposes not specifically related to 
the grants.

Most grants are restricted to specific purposes, such as the purchase of a 
specialized piece of drug analysis equipment.

Hayakawa declined to discuss the matters under investigation other than to 
say, "there's been some allegations made against him."

The Narcotics Enforcement Division, with a staff of about a dozen, 
investigates the criminal use of prescription drugs, controlled substances 
and other drugs such as Ecstasy.

The office also monitors applications for those who want to use marijuana 
for medicinal purposes.

Kamita's deputy, Ed Howard, has been named acting supervisor. He declined 
to discuss the Kamita investigation.
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