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Drug Situation: Due to its non-contiguous location with the rest of the United States and shared border with Canada, Alaska is both a transshipment state as well as a consumer state for controlled substances. Cocaine continues to be imported into Alaska and is available throughout the state. Though methamphetamine lab seizures are down, methamphetamine imported into Alaska continues to be available. Drug trafficking organizations in Alaska also engage in money laundering by using a variety of methods to legitimize and reposition illicit proceeds.

Cocaine: Various organizations are involved in trafficking cocaine in Alaska. Crack cocaine also continues to be a threat in Alaska, with many organizations dealing in both cocaine and crack. These organizations obtain cocaine from the lower 48 states. Due to Alaska’s remote location, these organizations are able to resell cocaine in Alaska at grossly inflated rates.

Heroin: Heroin continues to be available in Alaska. Various organizations import and distribute heroin to a variety of users. Different types of heroin are available in Alaska that include Mexican, Colombian, and Southeast Asian.

Methamphetamine: There are two types of methamphetamine in Alaska; methamphetamine that is produced locally in clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, and methamphetamine that is imported into Alaska. In accordance with national trends clandestine laboratory-related incidents in Alaska are down as compared to previous years. Legislation aimed at keeping precursor chemicals from being so easily attained presumably was a factor in causing the 87 percent decrease in the number of clandestine laboratory-related incidents during the past three years. Methamphetamine continues to be available as it is often sent through the parcel service. Drug trafficking organizations obtain the majority of methamphetamine for sale in Alaska from sources in the lower 48 states.

Club Drugs: MDMA (4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine/street name Ecstasy) is available in Alaska. Drug trafficking organizations distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana are acquiring small amounts of MDMA for distribution. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) are also available in Alaska on a small scale.

Marijuana: Marijuana is the most abused and widespread drug in Alaska. In June 2006, then-Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski signed HB149 which re-criminalizes the use and possession of marijuana. Almost all of the marijuana grown in Alaska is harvested in indoor growing operations. Marijuana that is cultivated in British Columbia, Canada which is commonly referred to as BC Bud continues to be available in the Anchorage area.

Pharmaceutical Diversion: : In the United States, prescription drugs are the second most abused drug by youth. The primary methods of diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals continues to be illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians, illegal distribution by pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, and drug thefts from pharmacies, nursing homes, and hospitals. Pharmacy burglaries are found throughout the state. Diversion Investigators are also encountering pharmaceuticals that have been purchased via the Internet without a doctor’s prescription. The abuse and trafficking of oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids continues to be a concern.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. Since the inception of the MET Program, 473 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 19,643 arrests. There have been no MET deployments in the State of Alaska.

More information about the Seattle Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 1/2008

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