The Juneau Police Department assisted multiple federal agencies in intercepting a package of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine and making two arrests last week, according to a JPD release.
The operation ultimately led to two arrests being made Friday at the Baranof Hotel, JPD Lt. Krag Campbell confirmed via email. Earlier that day, inspectors from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service — the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service — detected a suspicious package being sent to an apartment in Juneau, according to the release.
The package contained nearly three pounds of meth, five ounces of heroin and an ounce of cocaine, police say. JPD and other agencies intercepted the package, where JPD Canine Officer Buddy sniffed the package and confirmed the presence of narcotics.
Most of the drugs were removed from the package and then were delivered to the intended recipient, 28-year-old Juneau resident Chantel Epstein, who lived in an apartment in the 1000 block of Salmon Creek Lane, police say. Authorities continued to track the package as it was brought downtown to the Baranof Hotel, Campbell confirmed.
Law enforcement agents entered the hotel room and found Epstein there with 42-year-old California resident Kevin Leonard and several firearms, according to the release. JPD arrested Epstein and Leonard, charged them with federal drug conspiracy and took them to Lemon Creek Correctional Center, police say. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt said via email that Leonard identified himself as Kevin Leonard-Kinney in a court hearing.
Federal Bureau of Investigation officials and Drug Enforcement Agency were on scene. At the scene, agents said arrests were made but declined further comment. FBI public information officials have not responded to requests for comment.
JPD estimated the street value of the drugs to be about $200,000, and say the investigation is still ongoing.
• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.
