Alaska, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and remote allure, is facing a sinister challenge – an alarming surge in illicit drug activity driven primarily by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, once led by “El Chapo.”
REPORT: Sinaloa Cartel Expands Drug Pipelines To Alaska, Fueling Overdose Crisis via @DailyCaller https://t.co/LxPVXmwWSC
— Chris 🇺🇸 (@Chris_1791) October 9, 2023
This expansion of cartel influence into Alaska reveals a troubling truth: drug traffickers see the untapped potential and profitability of this market. The state’s vast, inaccessible regions provide fertile ground for criminal networks. James Klugman, head of federal criminal prosecutions for Alaska’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, remarks, “All the drug dealers are aware they can make more money selling drugs in Alaska.”
Tragically, Alaska witnessed a shocking 75% increase in overdose deaths in 2021, the highest in the United States. The overdose rate soared from 20.2 to 35.6 per 100,000 residents in a single year, contributing to the national toll of nearly 107,000 lives lost.
Illicit narcotics, particularly fentanyl, are flooding Alaska’s urban centers, from Anchorage to Juneau and Fairbanks, extending even to the most isolated areas. Brandon Waddle of the FBI’s Anchorage field office warns, “What keeps me up at night is the fact that fentanyl is killing our small, most vulnerable communities.”
Local authorities, despite the grim situation, have been vigilant in cracking down on cartels. Notable arrests, such as that of Miguel Guevara, an alleged narcotics trafficker, underscore the lure of Alaska’s lucrative drug market.
Even the remote town of Whittier, accessible primarily via a toll tunnel, has been targeted by drug dealers, revealing their audacity and determination.
The stories of traffickers like Jorge Cardenas, who introduced drugs like meth and fentanyl, illustrate the evolving drug landscape in Alaska. Agents raiding Cardenas’ family home found a shrine dedicated to Jesús Malverde, known as the “Patron Saint of Drug Dealers.”
For many Alaskans, this crisis hits close to home. Cornelius Sims, a lieutenant with the Alaska State Troopers, emphasizes, “The opioid crisis has hit hard, and it’s hit close to me.”
The drug problem in Alaska mirrors a larger issue in America – the audacity of cartels to infiltrate even the most remote regions underscores the need for robust law enforcement and community vigilance. As the battle against drug trafficking rages on, the nation must unite to eradicate this menace.
