File photo

File photo

Washington woman arrested for sourcing drugs distributed to Juneau in 2022

“I think this will make a difference in the amount of drugs flowing into our community.”

A regional anti-drug task force on Wednesday arrested a Washington state woman on drug distribution charges, according to the Juneau Police Department.

Sauhna Kat Cranston, 50, of Washington, was arrested by members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force Wednesday in Tukwila, Washington, on one count of drug conspiracy for her connection to multiple 2022 drug busts in Juneau which identified her as the source of the drugs being transported to Juneau from Washington, according to JPD.

Cranston is being held in federal custody in Washington and is set to be extradited to Alaska to face her indictment. She was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage in late April, and a federal warrant for her arrest was issued days later. Also indicted was 41-year-old Joshua Allen Coon.

According to JPD Lt. Krag Campbell, Cranston was discovered through investigation to be the source of at least three separate drug distribution investigations that occurred throughout 2022.

Campbell said after connecting with the local law enforcement agency whose jurisdiction Cranston resided, five SEACAD officers traveled to Washington on Tuesday to facilitate the arrest.

According to Campbell, Cranston primarily sourced fentanyl to distributors in Juneau. According to her late-April indictment, she is also suspected of distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Campbell said currently it does not appear that Cranston is connected to any recent drug busts in Juneau that occurred in 2023, but he noted investigations are still underway.

Campbell described her as a “bigger fish” for illegal drug distribution in Juneau.

“I think it puts a pretty big damper on the drug flow in Juneau at least for a period of time,” he said. “Of course, there might be someone who will fill in those gaps eventually, but I think this will make a difference in the amount of drugs flowing into our community.”

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 23

Here’s what to expect this week.

Devil’s Club provides shelter for angel wings along the Dzantik’i Heeni Loop Trail on Sept. 16. (Photo by Deana Barajas)
Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Friday, Sept. 22, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Maria Norman, 80, guides her wheelchair/walker toward the front patio space of the senior living building at the St. Vincent de Paul of Juneau complex on Teal Street on Saturday. About 30 Juneau residents visited the complex during the morning as part of a Friends of the Poor Run/Walk to raise money for the facility and its programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A step at a time toward housing stability

Annual fundraising run/walk for St. Vincent de Paul Juneau highlights improvements, ongoing needs.

A marijuana activist holds a flag during a march on Independence Day on July 4, 2021, in Washington, DC. Members of the group Fourth of July Hemp Coalition gathered outside the White House for its annual protest on marijuana prohibition which the group said it dated back to more than 50 years ago during Nixon Administration. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alaska relaxes rules for marijuana ads, allows free samples

Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has signed new regulations that allow the… Continue reading

A rainbow appears over downtown as residents check out rows of electric vehicles at Juneau’s EV E-bike Roundup Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Capital city celebrates 10th annual Juneau EV and E-bike Roundup

Juneau’s electric vehicle growth among fastest in the country, organizers say.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, gives a live speech via video from Washington, D.C., to attendees at the annual Southeast Conference meeting in Sitka on Thursday. (Screenshot from video by Southeast Conference)
Murkowski, Sullivan warn of domestic, foreign threats to Southeast Alaska’s economy

Issues from Russian seafood imports to ferry funding cited by senators during Southeast Conference.

Most Read