Package of meth intercepted, used in local sting operation

WASILLA -- For as much methamphetamine is being manufactured in makeshift labs throughout the Mat-Su, it's also being shipped to the Valley in commercial quantities through the mail.

On Oct. 15, the Mat-Su Drug Unit received a package from FedEx that contained approximately 20 grams of crystal meth. FedEx had intercepted and opened the package, sent from Arizona, and turned it over to the Mat-Su Drug Unit.

The package was addressed to a Kathy Carlson at 6800 King Salmon Dr. in Wasilla, home to Kathy Stone, 48, and Richard Carlson, 50.

Officers with the drug unit removed most of the meth from the package and substituted it with crushed rock salt. After fitting the package with an electronic transmitter that would send a signal to officers when it was opened, officers delivered the package to the King Salmon Drive address on Oct. 15, according to an affidavit filed by Alaska State Trooper Kyle Young.

At about 8 p.m. the device sent out the signal and the drug unit executed a search warrant at the residence.

Investigators found Stone and Carlson in the master bedroom. Stone was allegedly holding the items that had been packaged in the FedEx box, including a small plastic container that originally was used to hold cash and two plastic bags of meth.

The bags of rock salt investigators had substituted for the meth were discovered between the mattresses of the bed in the master bedroom. Lying next to them were a digital gram scale and numerous unused packaging bags, indicating the meth was going to be packaged for distribution.

In the master bedroom, investigators seized another digital gram scale, drug paraphernalia, packaging materials, firearms and approximately one-half to one ounce of methamphetamine.

A safe in the bedroom contained additional cash and a blender bowl with white powder in the bottom. Investigators believe the suspects were cutting or diluting the meth for distribution, to increase profits.

Stone admitted she had been expecting the FedEx package and was the one who opened it. Carlson added that he and Stone had used meth earlier in the afternoon.

Carlson and Stone were arrested and charged with one count each of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and one count each of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. They were taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where bail was set for each at $10,000, cash only, and a court-approved third-party custodian.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.