Troopers arrest 2 during alleged meth deal in Wasilla Carrs parking lot

WASILLA — Officers with the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) arrested two Wasilla men on Monday during an alleged meth deal in the Wasilla Carrs parking lot.

Alaska State Troopers said the SDEU team contacted Mark Pitoscia, 40, and Joseph Franks, 34, in a vehicle at around 1:50 p.m. During their investigation, they found Pitoscia in possession of 35.85 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun. Franks was found with 3.23 grams of the narcotic and also on probation for felony DUI. He also had three arrest warrants, including two no-bail warrants and another for $75,000 for failure to stop at the direction of a police officer.

Pitoscia was arrested and taken to Mat-Su Pretrial on charges of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, second-degree misconduct involving weapons and third-degree misconduct involving weapons.

Franks was also taken to Mat-Su Pretrial, where he was held on third-degree and fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and his warrants. Bail was set at $10,000 for each with a court-approved third party custodian requirement.