Alaska law enforcement agencies, as part of the state’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative, increased their enforcement efforts in response to an increase in the deaths of Alaskans due to drug overdoses statewide in 2024.
According to a press release from the Department of Public Safety, 22 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the state have partnered in a team approach to removing illicit fentanyl and other dangerous drugs from Alaskan communities. As part of these efforts, the agencies refocused their comprehensive efforts to interdict fentanyl and other substances at the Anchorage International Airport Complex, including cargo, parcel, mail, and passenger-carry modes of transportation.
The Kenai Police Department is one of the 22 local branches of law enforcement participating in the initiative. “We do have a KPD officer that’s assigned to the undercover drug unit locally,” said KPD Lieutenant Ben Langham. “There’s [HIDTA] funding that’s available that helps reimburse some of the expenses associated with Drug Enforcement.”
“As of Dec. 15, 2024, law enforcement officers have seized just over 317 pounds of dangerous drugs transiting through the airport complex, including over 100 pounds of fentanyl. The fentanyl seized by law enforcement included 23 million potentially fatal doses destined for Alaska communities,” the press release states.
The release adds that the HIDTA initiative, the Alaska State Troopers, and the United States Postal Inspection Service have increased efforts to identify and interdict drugs transiting through the United States Postal Service. State Troopers and the Postal Inspection Service established a unique task force officer program, which allows properly trained Troopers to assist US Postal Inspectors in identifying and interdicting narcotics transiting the mail.
The Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage Police Department, Anchorage Airport Police Officers, and local law enforcement officers from small communities have increased interdiction efforts at the passenger terminals in Anchorage to seize narcotics being carried by persons in their luggage or body. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska has designated additional federal prosecutors to process search warrants for U.S. Postal Service parcels in an effort to ensure that search warrants are applied expeditiously and charging decisions are swift.
“Participating HIDTA law enforcement agencies are encouraging the public to report suspicious drug trafficking activity to AKtips, which can be done quickly online while remaining anonymous,” Lieutenant Langham added. “Just download the AKTips smartphone app for iOS or Android. Alternatively, you can submit a tip securely by texting the keyword AKTIPS, followed by your crime tip to 847411.”
The Alaska HIDTA Initiative, designated in May 2018, is funded through the US Office of National Drug Control Policy. The program is spread throughout the state and includes partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. More information about the Alaska HIDTA Initiative and participating agencies can be found at akhidta.org.