Last Updated: Feb. 20, 2015 7:45 p.m.
ANCHORAGE – Following a two-month investigation, six people were arrested in Kasilof Thursday for their roles in the sale and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Four of the arrests occurred around 9:30 a.m. Thursday after authorities simultaneously served search warrants at two Kasilof homes — one on Tustamena Lake Road, the other on Friendship Avenue.
Joshua Tri, 30, of Kasilof was arrested and charged with two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. John Fisler, 51, also of Kasilof, was arrested and charged with four counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Stacey Whitley, 40, of Soldotna was arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Ashley Armknecht, 23, of Soldotna was arrested and charged with violating the terms of her probation.
At around 5 p.m. Thursday, Isis Holcombe, 18, of Kasilof and Levi Shannon, 18, of Kasilof were confronted by police as they attempted to distribute meth and heroin.
The two were then arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, as well as two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Shannon was later charged with three counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, according to AST.
The investigation began after residents in the Kasilof area alerted authorities to suspicious drug-related activity, according to AST spokeswoman Megan Peters. Concerned community members continued to provide invaluable information during the two-month investigation, eventually leading to six arrests.
The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between the Soldotna Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit; the Alaska Bureau of Investigation; Alaska Wildlife Troopers; the Kenai Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security.
The six arrested were taken to the Wildwood Pretrial Facility and are currently being held without bail.