Authorities are working to identify suspects after field testing confirmed “suspicious substances” found in syringes found onshore at Skagway were illegal narcotics, according to a Friday press release from the Municipality of Skagway.
Shortly before 7 a.m. last Sunday, Skagway Police Department received a report that a boat was sinking south of the Dyea Flats. The boat was from Juneau, according to a previous press release.
Skagway Fire Chief Joe Rau said earlier this week two uninjured people were rescued from the water, and the boat appeared to be a live-aboard.
Shortly after the boat sank, debris, needles and syringes began to wash up on shore and continued to be found through Tuesday, according to the press release.
Skagway police are working with federal and state agencies to identify people connected with the incident for the possibility of prosecution, according to the press release.
To share information, people can contact the Skagway Police Department at 983-2232.
• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.