Friday’s drug bust in East Anchorage happened as most do, with undercover police officers buying drugs from a suspected dealer.
Anchorage police arrested Laura Johnson, 39, and Alex Tejeda, 33, who now face felony charges in connection with a sizable illegal drug seizure that took place at a residence located on the 5700 block of Rocky Mountain Court.
APD’s Special Assignment Unit “utilized an informant” to arrange a drug purchase, where Johnson provided approximately 8.4 grams of heroin and 14 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $2,750, according to charging documents.
After the drug transaction, Johnson drove away from the area. Police stopped the vehicle and arrested her, confiscating a portion of the funds used for the transaction that were in her jacket pocket, charging documents say. Dime bags containing small amounts of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine were also found in the vehicle.
Prior to the planned transaction between APD and Johnson, as the unit was conducting surveillance in the area, a male driving a gold sedan arrived at the residence and dropped off a bag, charging documents say. He left before the transaction.
After the transaction, officers spotted the gold sedan again and conducted a traffic stop. The driver — later identified as Tejeda — fled on foot, tossing items as he ran. Officers were able to take him into custody and recovered his wallet, along with multiple bags of illegal drugs that appeared to be packaged for sale. Police uncovered more drugs in the trunk of the sedan, the documents say.
In total, APD’s Special Assignment Unit seized more than 800 grams of illegal drugs from the residence:
- 683 grams of methamphetamine, carrying a total street value of up to $98,000
- 101 grams of cocaine, carrying a total street value of up to $9,000
- 24 grams of heroin, carrying a total street value of up to $4,200
Added up, the confiscated drugs carry a street value of approximately $111,000.
Neighbors, like Josh Gibbs, are expressing relief over Friday’s drug bust. Gibbs says he’s lived in the neighborhood for about two years. When asked if there was a prevalent drug problem in the neighborhood, Gibbs said yes.
“Every day, you know,” he said. “But I go to work, come home, and that’s what I’m responsible for.”
Still, Gibbs says, he’s disappointed.
“I can’t believe stuff like that happens in this neighborhood,” he said. “It’s a shame, and I’m happy they’re off the streets.”
APD spokeswoman Jennifer Castro says the drug ring supplied narcotics to about 100 people in the Anchorage area. Friday’s bust is expected to disrupt that distribution.
“If you’re able to hit that retailer, shut it down, then its obviously gonna cause a disruption, kind of a domino effect elsewhere,” said Castro.
Johnson and Tejeda have been charged with multiple counts of second -and third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance in connection with the narcotics found. Johnson’s bail was set at $75,000. No bail was set for Tejeda as he is currently on federal probation.
APD is asking anyone with information on this case to call police dispatch at 786-8900 or Crime Stoppers — to remain anonymous — at 561-STOP.