Mexican drug cartels have set their sights on Alaska as a profitable area for drug sales, particularly fentanyl, according to a report in the Louisville Courier Journal. This has resulted in a surge in drug overdose deaths and has sparked concern among Alaskans.
In an extensive report by journalist Beth Warren, it was revealed that Mexican drug cartels, including the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, have managed to infiltrate both urban areas and small villages in Alaska. Law enforcement officials in the state, such as Anchorage FBI agent Brandon Waddle and James Klugman, head of federal criminal prosecutions for Alaska's U.S. Attorney's Office, are particularly worried about the impact this will have on the state's small communities.
Klugman explained that Alaska's remote location and lack of competition for illicit drugs make it an attractive target for drug cartels. They can increase the prices and make substantial profits due to the limited availability of drugs in the state.
Most drugs are believed to enter Alaska through its largest city, Anchorage, before being distributed internally to smaller cities and communities. The Governor's Advisory Council on Opioid Remediation reported that in 2021, Alaska recorded 253 overdose deaths, with approximately 76% of them attributed to synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also noted a significant increase in Alaska's overdose death rate, rising from about 20 per 100,000 residents in 2020 to 35.6 per 100,000 residents in 2021.
Law enforcement in Alaska has been taking action against the influx of fentanyl. In 2022, a series of raids led to the seizure of nearly 2.5 million doses of fentanyl, according to Alaska Public Media.
The issue of fentanyl and drug cartels in Alaska has prompted political attention as well. Senator Dan Sullivan, a junior United States senator from Alaska, expressed his grief over the loss of fellow Alaskans due to fentanyl in a Facebook video. He placed blame on President Biden's border policies, urging the president to "secure the border" and address the crisis.
The targeting of Alaska by Mexican drug cartels has had devastating consequences, with a rise in drug overdose deaths and concerns about the impact on small communities. Law enforcement efforts have seen some success in seizing large quantities of fentanyl, but the issue remains a significant challenge. The situation has also become a political matter, with Senator Sullivan calling for action to address the crisis.
