Smugglers sentenced, will give up property

WASILLA — Three participants in what federal authorities said was a marijuana smuggling ring bringing weed from British Columbia to Wasilla have been sent to jail and have agreed to give up a house and other property worth a combined $1 million.

Patrick N. McIlvain was convicted of two money laundering counts and conspiracy to distribute marijuana April 13. He was sentenced earlier this month to 30 months in prison, according to the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. On the same day, James C. Adams II was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy. A third defendant, Rachel H. Ross, received a sentence of 10 months in prison the following week. All are Wasilla residents.

A fourth defendant, David Knutson of Vancouver, British Columbia, is charged as the ringleader and remains a fugitive.

In addition to his sentence, McIlvan forfeited his home at 5645 N. Hiett Drive. Adams forfeited proceeds from the sale of his home at 3751 S. Knik-Goose Bay Road. Other property forfeited includes cash, snowmachines and other motor vehicles, according to the press release. The McIlvain home was subject to forfeiture as it was used to store marijuana and at least $331,000 in proceeds from the marijuana business.

The Adams house was similarly subject since Adams used the place to grow marijuana after authorities disrupted the distribution ring. Federal authorities say the four people brought the marijuana — a strain called “B.C. bud” — across the border on snowmachines in the winter and in secret compartments of Airstream trailers and inflatable boats in the summer, according to the indictment leveled against the defendants. The sale of the drug netted the Alaska end of the operation about $400 to $500 profit per pound.

The shipments would move across the border in increments of 60 to 150 pounds, periodically between January 2004 and March 2007.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.