Six Juneau residents were arrested on a variety of charges related to supporting the distribution of drugs for the last four years, according to the Department of Justice.
David Powers, 50; Janel Davis, 48; Keoni Bischoff, 41; Catherine Demars, 50; Eliza Nicole Coyle, 35; and Lorvin Baraoidan Uddipa, 33; were arrested following an investigation by a Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force, according to DOJ. Members of the group are charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, as well as firearms offenses.
According to the DOJ, Powers and Davis bought drugs in the Lower 48 before trafficking them to Southeast Alaska and distributing them around the region. The other four arrested are accused of assisted Powers and Davis with distributing drugs.
[US House passes bill that could allow an Alaska cruise season]
The group also acquired a number of firearms, according to DOJ, including seven handguns, seven rifles and a shotgun. Investigators found suppressors, selector switches for converting some of the firearms to fully automatic fire, sights and ammunition, according to DOJ.
Those arrested face up to a lifetime prison sentence and a $10 million dollar fine if convicted of all charges, according to DOJ. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack Schmidt and Christopher Schroeder are prosecuting, according to the news release.
The FBI, ATF, Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Drug Enforcement Agency, Coast Guard Investigative Service and United States Postal Inspector Service participated in the investigation as part of the SEACAD task force.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
