DPS announces highlights from annual drug report

WASILLA— The Alaska Department of Public Safety’s Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit recently released its annual drug report highlighting trends in illegal narcotics trafficking in Alaska.

According to a recent press release, DPS presented findings to the Alaska Legislature. The data included reported street prices for illicit drugs, the total amount of illicit drugs and alcohol seized, the average sentences given to offenders of Alaska’s controlled substances criminal statutes, and an overview of the illegal narcotics and illicit alcohol problem that affects the entire state.

Below are some of the highlights from 2022 report:

In 2022, 26.85 kilograms of fentanyl, which is approximately 13.425 million potentially fatal doses

In 2022, SDEU made 102 unique drug and alcohol arrests across Alaska.

From 2021 to 2022, there was a 68 percent increase in methamphetamine seizures and a 77 percent increase in cocaine seizures.

International drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) continue to gravitate towards Alaska’s lucrative drug market looking to exploit Alaska’s remote areas, high demand, and limited law enforcement resources in remote areas.

The Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit is made up of four regional task forces: Southcentral Areawide Narcotics Team (SCAN), Fairbanks Area-wide Narcotics Team (FANT), Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD), and Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team (WAANT).

Each regional task force is composed of Alaska State Troopers, local police officers, and federal law enforcement agents. Additionally, Alaska has four High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiatives.

“This latest annual report reflects the commitment and tenacity of the dozens of Alaska State Trooper Drug Investigators, as well as our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt the ongoing trafficking of illicit and dangerous drugs in Alaska and prevent overdose deaths. To those trafficking dangerous drugs in Alaska, know that sooner or later law enforcement will catch up to you and hold you accountable for your reckless disregard for Alaskan lives,” said Colonel Maurice Hughes, Director of the Alaska State Troopers.

The 2022 Annual Drug Report can be viewed online at dps.alaska.gov/getmedia/d2b7aeb9-0497-434a-a9f7-c4e1cbe5b01b/2022-Annual-Drug-Report.pdf

Anyone with information about drug trafficking is encouraged to report it to their local police department or the Alaska State Troopers. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the AKTips smartphone app or online at https://dps.alaska.gov/tips.