Man Arrested in Honolulu for Selling Fentanyl on Messaging App
A man from Waikoloa, identified as Luka Kekoa Mossman, has been arrested in Honolulu for allegedly using the popular messaging app, Telegram, to sell fentanyl. The arrest happened after undercover police officers from Hawaii, working with federal agents, discovered Mossman’s illegal activities on the app.
Federal prosecutors are seeking to hold Mossman without bail, charging him with distribution of fentanyl. During his arrest, Mossman was found in possession of 250 M30 pills, which tested positive for fentanyl. He also had a loaded.380 Ruger pistol and an Ohio driver’s license with his photograph but a fictitious name.
Mossman, also known as the Hawaiian Pharmacy, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield on Monday for his initial hearing. He is currently in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, awaiting his detention hearing scheduled on August 3 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom A. Trader.
This is not the first time Mossman has faced legal trouble. In 2018, he was indicted by a Hawaii grand jury for allegedly threatening two individuals with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle. However, no further action has been taken in that case.
Law enforcement began investigating Mossman earlier this year, focusing on his use of the Telegram channel called Hawaiian Pharmacy to distribute fentanyl. Telegram is a cloud-based messaging application that allows users to send encrypted messages across multiple devices. Mossman used this channel to sell drugs, targeting unlimited audiences.
To gather evidence against Mossman, undercover officers posing as buyers engaged in conversations with him on Telegram. On May 25, they arranged to purchase 500 fentanyl pills for $2,500. The officers sent the money to a specified Western Union account, and Mossman confirmed the transaction by sending a screenshot of the shipping label.
The package containing the fentanyl pills was recovered by law enforcement on May 31, and upon testing, it was confirmed to contain 500 M30 pills with a positive identification for fentanyl. The undercover officer used a video chat feature on Telegram to show Mossman the package and confirm its receipt.
Mossman’s attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Jacquelyn T. Esser, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers, who is prosecuting the case, have both declined to comment on the ongoing matter.
The arrest of Mossman highlights the concerning issue of illegal drug sales taking place on popular messaging apps like Telegram. Local and federal authorities are working together to combat the distribution and sale of drugs, particularly potent opioids like fentanyl, which has become a significant public health concern.
The allegations against Mossman will be further examined during the upcoming detention hearing and subsequent preliminary hearing in August. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies to safeguard communities from the dangers associated with illegal drug trafficking and the misuse of powerful substances like fentanyl.
