Maui drum circle investigation results in drug bust, 3 arrests
What started out as an investigation into complaints regarding a drum circle at a Maui beach park turned into a drug bust on Sunday, according to the Maui Police Department.
Maui police arrested three individuals for suspicion of drug-related charges and confiscated a cache of drugs by the end of the day.
At about 3 p.m., MPD said plainclothes officers went to Poolenalena Beach in Kihei to investigate the drum circle and spotted two individuals — a man and a woman – with outstanding bench warrants.
Later that evening, police arrested Gary Gadient, 55, of Kihei, and Kayla Phelan, 26, of Haiku.
While processing Gadient, police said they recovered about one-eighth of an ounce of suspected crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
He was charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug as well as violating a protection order. He remains in custody at Maui Community Correctional Center, with bail set at $1,000.
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Police charged Phelan with numerous drug-related charges that include first-degree promotion of a dangerous and detrimental drug. Her bail was set at $10,000.
She was released pending her court hearing.
While the officers were at the beach, a 44-year-old woman from Napili approached and offered one of them edible chocolates containing “shrooms” for a price.
Police also arrested her, and have released her pending investigation of several drug-related charges.
Through the investigation, police said they recovered marijuana, wrapped chocolates containing suspected psilocybin mushrooms, suspected ecstacy capsules and pills and a digital scale.
Maui police warned they would continue to crack down on illegal activities at beach parks.