Two people are in custody and $400,000 worth of heroin was seized after authorities launched an investigation into heroin trafficking in the Mat-Su Valley, authorities say.
Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted 37-year-old Seneca Neal of Anchorage and 40-year-old Lamon Washington of Fairbanks for heroin distribution and conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of the drug. They were arrested and remain in custody.
Back in September, the Alaska State Troopers Mat-Su Drug Unit — with the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — launched the Valley heroin trafficking investigation. “Several suspects” were identified and authorities seized about 48 grams of heroin in late October, according to an AST dispatch posted Thursday.
Continued investigation resulted in authorities seizing another 266 grams of heroin at a Wasilla home, the dispatch says. Ultimately, AST was able to identify a source in Anchorage who supplied heroin to people in Wasilla and Fairbanks. Other seizures include:
- Nov. 19 — AST and Drug Enforcement Administration agents seize 141 grams of heroin and more than $17,000 in cash
- Nov. 30 — the Mat-Su Drug Unit served a search warrant on Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage and seized 445 grams of heroin, $980 in cash and a custom truck.
More suspects have been identified and charges are being forwarded for prosecution, AST said.
–This is a developing story.