According to officials, traffickers come to Alaska due to the high profits from illegal drugs, where the state’s small population offers profitable prospects. The head of Alaska’s statewide narcotics enforcement team, Captain Cornelius Sims, described how traffickers buy fake M30 Oxycodone pills for as low as 10 to 25 cents and may fetch up to $200 in the state. This strategy rakes up Alaska’s drug trafficking profits.
Sims further described that Anchorage is a primary hub for drug distribution, with most products arriving at Ted Stevens International Airport. Criminals smuggle drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl through mail cargo, carry-on baggage, and other covert methods.
Traffickers then distribute these substances to communities such as Fairbanks and beyond. Packages containing illegal narcotics vary in size, with some shipments weighing up to 60 pounds, according to the DPS.
A single package has carried enough fentanyl doses to fatally overdose Alaska’s entire population multiple times. Many of these dangerous substances originate from source states along US borders . They further travel to Alaska via the Lower 48 states.
Law enforcement faces challenges intercepting narcotics as they require federal warrants to investigate suspicious packages. Once authorized, officers often find drugs hidden within unexpected objects like stuffed animals, clothing, or electronics.
“As drug traffickers change their strategies, we have to adapt and change our strategies,” Sims said, highlighting the ongoing efforts. The increase in Alaska’s drug trafficking profits has coincided with a rise in overdose deaths statewide. This increase led to prompting intensified law enforcement actions.
While efforts focus on disrupting supply routes, authorities also call for community awareness to help tackle this growing crisis. As Alaska’s drug trafficking profits continue to rise, officials emphasize the importance of public cooperation and vigilance to address this serious issue affecting the Last Frontier.
This news article was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
