A former Hanapēpē resident was arrested in the Western District of Wisconsin on July 21 and indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The charge stems from an incident on May 23, 2025, when law enforcement executed a search warrant on Dakota Ianniello’s vehicle in Kaua‘i and seized approximately 81.5 grams of suspected fentanyl, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
After her arrest this week, 55-year-old Ianniello provided a statement to agents admitting the fentanyl seized in May 2025 was hers, she knew the substance to be fentanyl, and she distributed fentanyl to others.
If convicted, Ianniello faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, plus a term of supervised release of at least 4 years.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Kaua‘i Police Department, is investigating the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” according to the news release.
A court date has not yet been set.
