Routine call sprouts pot bust

WASILLA — An early morning domestic dispute turned into a drug bust in Wasilla Saturday after responding authorities found 40 live marijuana plants in a house off Sweet Dreams

Lane.

Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said a trooper on the scene of the dispute became suspicious after smelling what he thought was marijuana.

Troopers contacted the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement Mat-Su Narcotic Unit. Ipsen said officials secured the house, applied for a search warrant and, after the warrant was granted, began their search for a marijuana growing operation.

The Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement is typically called upon by troopers to assist where narcotics are suspected to be present, according to the Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman.

“It’s more their expertise,” Ipsen said.

The trooper’s suspicions were confirmed after investigators located 40 live marijuana plants, processed marijuana, various pieces of marijuana growing equipment and a scale, according to a trooper report.

Ipsen said felony drug charges have been forward to the Palmer District Attorney, who will decide exactly how to charge the individuals involved.

With those charges pending, the suspects involved were not placed under arrest, and remain free.

Ipsen said the suspects could either be issued a summons or be arrested, depending on the severity of eventual charges handed down from the district attorney. Ipsen declined to release the names of the three adults involved because the investigation is ongoing.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@

frontiersman.com.

Elsewhere in the Mat-Su Valley this weekend, troopers reported making 12 traffic stops Friday inside a traffic enforcement area from Mile 9 Old Glenn Highway, near the Knik Public Use Access Area, to Mile 11.5 Old Glenn Highway. Of those 12 stops, which occurred in a three-hour time span, troopers issued one citation for speeding and 10 warnings for improper ATV use on marked non-motorized paths, according to a trooper report.

The Knik Public Use Area Access garnered troopers two arrests Saturday, one for probation violation and one for outstanding warrants.

Twenty-five year old Jami L. Rouse of Anchorage was arrested for violating her probation after investigators say they found her intoxicated. The intoxication violated Rouse’s probation. Troopers report Rouse is being held at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial facility without bail.

Also at the Knik Public Use Area Access Saturday, troopers arrested 21-year-old Carl Amadon of Palmer for two outstanding warrants. Troopers say Amadon is wanted for failure to comply with an Alcohol Safety and Prevention mandate after an alleged assault and failure to appear for status hearing on a charge of DUI and minor operating after consuming.

The warrants total $2,500, according to a trooper report.

Amadon was arrested and taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial pending an arraignment.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.