Alaska

Alaska law enforcement seizes almost 2.5 million doses of fentanyl this summer

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2022

Alaska law enforcement seizes almost 2.5 million doses of fentanyl this summer

Alaska Division of Public Security Commissioner James Cockrell speaks at a press convention on the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Lab in Anchorage. To the left of him is Anchorage Police Chief Michael Kerle. (Wesley Early/Alaska Public Media)

Alaska regulation enforcement seized about 2.45 million deadly doses of fentanyl this summer time, a part of a statewide effort focusing on the lethal opioid.

Alaska State Troopers say 25 arrests have been additionally made throughout the months-long sweep, which they introduced at a information convention on Tuesday. Dozens of associated investigations are nonetheless lively and open.

Public Security Commissioner James Cockrell stated three Alaska Wildlife Troopers have been re-tasked throughout the sweep “to combat this scourge upon Alaska.” Cockrell talked about a spring gathering to debate Mat-Su fentanyl instances which, he stated, illustrates the drug’s toll upon younger Alaskans.

“It was a really heartfelt press convention with a variety of feelings, assembly with the households that really misplaced family members — simply as I did,” Cockrell stated. “I misplaced my son to a drug overdose within the state of Pennsylvania about 5 years in the past.”

Troopers say the quantity of medication seized between Might 1 and Sept. 30 of this yr is double final yr and “represents one in every of Alaska’s highest durations for drug seizures.”

Capt. Andrew Gorn, head of troopers’ Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit, stated a lot of the seized fentanyl got here from Mexico. The most important seizures befell in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, in addition to the port communities of Ketchikan and Kodiak, the place a $656,000 fentanyl bust was made final month.

“Only one capsule containing fentanyl can kill the common particular person,” Gorn stated. “And it’s due to that unlucky undeniable fact that I’m assured in our efforts this previous summer time that we’ve completely saved Alaskan lives — we completely have.”

law enforcement officer with glasses — Alaska State Trooper Capt. Andrew Gorn speaks at a press convention on Oct. 4, 2022. Gorn is commander of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, and head of the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit. (Wesley Early/Alaska Public Media)

With 70% of overdose deaths in Alaska linked to fentanyl, used both pure or combined with different medication, Gorn urged individuals to keep away from road medication, which might include unlabeled portions of fentanyl.

“The danger merely isn’t price it,” he stated.

Total, 4.8 kilograms of fentanyl have been seized, sufficient to make 2.45 million deadly doses of fentanyl — or three for each Alaskan. Investigators additionally seized roughly 50 kilos every of heroin and methamphetamine, plus about 30 kilos of cocaine.

Well being Commissioner Adam Crum stated the state has distributed 32,000 Naloxone opioid-overdose response kits to date this yr, up for 27,000 for all of 2021. As well as, funding from the well being division was transferred this yr to Public Security to purchase tools in assist of the sweep.

“That may be a health-based effort from our perspective,” Crum stated.

Troopers urged Alaskans with data on fentanyl and different unlawful drug distribution of their communities to submit nameless ideas by way of the Division of Public Security web site or the AKtips smartphone app launched final yr.

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Alaska

80 mph, 90 mph and higher: Here’s a rundown of peak gusts recorded across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm

Published

9 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

80 mph, 90 mph and higher: Here’s a rundown of peak gusts recorded across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm

By Anchorage Daily News

Updated: 2 hours ago Published: 3 hours ago

A downed spruce tree partially hangs over Lake Otis Parkway during the windstorm on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Here’s a list of peak wind gusts measured at various locations by the National Weather Service across Southcentral Alaska in Sunday’s storm. Crews were working Sunday evening to restore electricity to thousands of people in Anchorage and the Mat-Su.

Gusts of more than 60 mph were recorded at various locations across the region, with gusts exceeding 80 mph at several locations on the Anchorage Hillside and higher elevations.

High winds, rain batter Anchorage and Mat-Su, with power outages reported across region

The readings were collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures, the weather service noted. Not all data listed are considered official, the weather service said. See the full list here.

Anchorage

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: 62 mph

Merrill Field: 66 mph

Lake Hood: 59 mph

JBER – Elmendorf: 69 mph

JBER – Fort Richardson: 73 mph

Northeast Anchorage: 75 mph

South Anchorage: 75 mph

Glen Alps: 84 mph

Potter Valley: 91 mph

Bear Valley: 110 mph*

Arctic Valley: 107 mph*

Glenn Hwy Eagle River Bridge: 88 mph

Glenn Hwy S Curves: 62 mph

South Fork Eagle River: 86 mph

Birchwood Airport: 53 mph

Bird Point: 75 mph

Alyeska Weather Station: 112 mph

Alyeska Summit: 99 mph

Portage Glacier: 84 mph

Matanuska Valley

Palmer Airport: 67 mph

Wasilla Airport: 47 mph

Fishhook: 47 mph

Duck Flats: 6 mph

Susitna Valley

Willow: 36 mph

Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Seward Airport: 51 mph

Kenai Lake: 33 mph

Granite Creek: 25 mph

Seward / Sterling Hwys (Y): 42 mph

Whittier Airport: 60 mph*

Western Kenai Peninsula

Kenai Airport: 53 mph

Soldotna Airport: 39 mph

Kenai Beach: 46 mph

Sterling Highway at Jean Lake: 64 mph

Nikiski: 36 mph

Anchor Point: 31 mph

Homer Airport: 46 mph

Homer Boat Harbor: 42 mph

Seldovia Airport: 41 mph

Eastern Prince William Sound

Cordova Airport: 73 mph

Cordova Marine Ferry Terminal: 74 mph

Valdez Airport: 25 mph

Valdez Port: 23 mph

Thompson Pass: 47 mph

Copper River Basin

Gulkana Airport: 56 mph

Chitina: 37 mph

Denali Hwy at MacLaren River: 38 mph

Eureka: 36 mph

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Airport: 52 mph

Kodiak – Pasagshak Road: 61 mph

Akhiok: 45 mph

*Denotes site stopped transmitting wind data following report of highest wind gust.

“Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.”

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Alaska

Alaska Airlines faces heat after UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets removed from flight: 'Shame on you'

Published

21 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Alaska Airlines faces heat after UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets removed from flight: 'Shame on you'

Alaska Airlines is getting called out on social media after a clip surfaced showing a famous UFC fighter get into a dispute on-board until he was escorted off his flight. The video shows Russian hall of fame athlete Khabib Nurmgomedov debating airline staff in the U.S. while he was sitting in the exit row on the plane.

The video of the incident, which reportedly took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, shows an employee telling the 36-year-old mixed martial artist he either has to switch seats or get off the plane. “They’re not comfortable with you sitting in the exit row,” the worker added.

“It’s not fair,” said Nurmgomedov, who was reportedly flying to Los Angeles, to which the worker replied, “It is fair. Yes, it is.”

Nurmgomedov explained that when he was checking in for the flight, he was asked he if knew English, to which he said he did. The airline worker responded, “I understand that, but it’s also off of their judgement. I’m not going to do this back-and-forth. I will call a supervisor.”

The employee reiterated the athlete could either take a different seat on the plane, or staff could “go ahead and escort” him off the flight. She asked “which one are we doing?” and then replied to Nurmgomedov saying they were going to have to rebook him on a different flight.

Across social media, people have been calling out Alaska Airlines asking why they had him removed from the plane. Many called for others to boycott the airline, and some claimed the staff were profiling Nurmgomedov, who is Muslim.

“Why did you remove Khabib from your plane? His fans need to know! I hope he sues you,” an Instagram user wrote on the airline’s most recent post.

“Are you aware of who Khabib is? His legacy surpasses that of the entire airline,” another chimed in.

“Shame on you, Alaska Airline. We all boycotting them,” a TikTok user added.

“What is the reason!? Because they don’t feel comfortable he’s sitting by a window?” another questioned.

Neither Nurmgomedov or Alaska Airlines have yet commented on the situation.

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Alaska

Experts recommend preparing in case of Southcentral power outages as storm approaches

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Experts recommend preparing in case of Southcentral power outages as storm approaches

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – With a storm approaching and high winds in the forecast for a portion of Southcentral Alaska, experts recommend preparing for potential power outages and taking safety precautions.

Experts with the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recommended taking the initiative early in case of power outages due to strong weather.

Julie Hasquet with Chugach Electric in Anchorage said Saturday the utility company has 24/7 operators in case of outages.

“We watch the weather forecast, and absolutely, if there are power outages, we will send crews out into the field to respond,” Hasquet said.

She echoed others, saying it’s best to prepare prior to a storm and not need supplies rather than the other way around.

“With the winds that are forecast for tonight and perhaps into Sunday, people should just be ready that it could be some challenging times, and to be aware and cautious and kind of have your radar up,” Hasquet said.

For the latest weather updates and alerts, download the Alaska’s Weather Source app.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

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