A several monthslong investigation into drug trafficking in Juneau resulted in the arrests of seven people, Juneau Police Department announced Friday.
According to a release from the department, they joined with Alaska State Troopers and the United States Postal Inspection Service beginning in October to uncover a “drug trafficking organization” operating in Juneau.
A task force began initial investigation of two Juneau residents, Patrick Iler, 41, and Erika Porter, 39, who police say were distributing methamphetamine in the city.
The pair were arrested Feb. 12 and charged with misconduct involving a controlled substance. Juneau police said they found Porter and Iler in a vehicle with a significant quantity of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and small bags for distribution.
According to the department’s release from last week, that investigation led to the further investigation of Juneau-resident Timothy Miller, 46, who police say was working with Iler and Porter in distributing methamphetamine. A total of 1.32 kilograms of the substance were seized, estimated at a value of around $100,000 per kilogram.
The release says that four other people were arrested in May for their alleged role in distributing methamphetamine in the city. Kinarla Miles, 67 of California, was identified by police as the source of the drug. Three alleged “co-conspirators” were arrested in Juneau — Jerome Larue, 51; Travis Lind, 38; and Edie Seslar, 60.
A total of around 7 kilograms of methamphetamine were involved in the distribution operation, the release says. Miles, Larue, Lind and Seslar all were indicted in May on charges of drug conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Miller, Porter and Iler were arrested last week and indicted on charges of drug conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Monday evening, no case file was found in the federal court database for the arrests.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
