Antidrug task force makes arrest, seizes $24,000 in drugs

Antidrug task force makes arrest, seizes $24,000 in drugs

Officers seized $9,000 and pills.

Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force served a warrant Thursday, arresting one person and seizing more than $30,000 in drugs and cash, according to a Juneau Police Department.

Demeco Martin, 29, a Washington resident, was arrested and charged with fourth- and second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, both felony charges, said Lt. Jeremy Weske in a release. Each carries a potential sentence of up to five years and a penalty of up to $50,000.

JPD officers were among law enforcement agents present at the arrest of Demeco on the 8000 block of Airport Boulevard, Weske said. JPD officers were among the seven law enforcement agents carrying out the warrants, owing to the operation’s location in their city.

Officers also served a warrant at the 2500 block of Vista Drive, where they seized drugs and the money, Weske said.

“We have a SEACAD task force,” Weske said, “That includes JPD, Alaska State Troopers, Coast Guard Investigative Services, and the FBI.”

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SEACAD is a task force assembled to provide federal funding to law enforcement agencies through Southeast Alaska, allowing for more travel and better cooperation and effectiveness, Weske said.

“What it has done for agencies in the southeast has given us funding to travel to other cities to assist in drug operations,” Weske said. “That’s historically been the sticking point, funding.”

Demeco was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center following his arrest. Weske said it’s likely he’ll be tried in Juneau. While this investigation is wrapping up, it may lead to other sources of interest to SEACAD, Weske said.

“There are always threads to pull in any investigation,” Weske said. “I would say that this case has come to its end but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to other cases.”

Members of the JPD, Alaska State Troopers, Coast Guard, FBI, DEA, and Port of Seattle Police contributed to the multi-year investigation, Weske said.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

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