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Two Dillingham residents arrested after seven month drug trafficking investigation

KDLG

Dillingham Police arrested two Dillingham residents Wednesday for allegedly distributing controlled substances. The arrests come after a seven month drug trafficking investigation by Dillingham Police and Alaska State Troopers.

  

Dillingham Police arrested two Dillingham residents Wednesday for allegedly distributing controlled substances. The arrests of Jonathan Libby and Raylee Pierson, came after a seven month drug trafficking investigation by Dillingham Police and Alaska State Troopers.

Law enforcers and investigators from the statewide Drug Enforcement Unit served multiple search warrants at Libby’s construction shop on Wednesday. 

Public Information Officer Austin McDaniels said they seized one tenth gram of heroin, a bag of unmarked pills, scales, baggies and 13 firearms.

“Of the firearms that were seized, two of them were prohibited," McDaniels said. "Including one nine-and-a-half-inch barreled rifle that had its serial number and other identifying characteristics removed which is required by law and one silencer. They also located two 22 caliber rifles with threaded barrels, both capable of attaching a silencer.”

Dillingham Police and state troopers used those months to gather evidence and information on Libby and Pierson’s suspected drug operation since late last year.

The State Drug Enforcement Unit stopped Libby and Pierson at Ted Stevens International Airport in December. McDaniels said at the time, Pierson had over a gram of heroin, meth, scales and baggies.

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“After that December seizure of drugs the Dillingham Police Department initiated an investigation into trafficking of narcotics in Dillingham and contacted Johnathan Libby at his construction shop," McDaniels said. "Through the collaboration of the Alaska State Troopers in Dillingham, their investigation lead to the issuance of a search warrant for that shop.”

Libby faces a fourth degree felony charge, Misconduct Involving Controlled Substances, for maintaining a shop where controlled substances are distributed and two weapon charges for the rifles and silencer.

Pierson was arrested on an outstanding no bail felony arrest for misconduct involving controlled substances in the second and third degree. Both were held at the Dillingham jail with no bail.

Contact the author at tyler@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200