Southeast Alaska Man Sentenced for Role in Large Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
December 11, 2018
Bradley Payton Grasser, 63, of Craig, Alaska, was sentenced Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 10 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. In July 2017, Grasser pleaded guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy, and agreed to forfeit all rights to $89,703 in U.S. currency and 11 firearms, among other items, named in the forfeiture allegation. According to court documents, starting in at least January 2014 and continuing until January 2017, Grasser coordinated and directed the distribution of methamphetamine on Prince of Wales Island for the conspiracy, as well as, collection of drug proceeds from co-conspirators. Specifically, Grasser arranged for methamphetamine to be mailed to co-conspirators at various addresses on Prince of Wales Island and in Ketchikan, from his source of supply in Washington State. Grasser would then use the drug proceeds to obtain more methamphetamine from his source of supply, for subsequent distribution on Prince of Wales Island. During the course of the conspiracy, Grasser directed at least five individuals to either receive the drug packages and/or send drug proceeds back to his source of supply in Washington State. The total amount of methamphetamine seized during the conspiracy was 1133.7 grams intended for distribution on Prince of Wales Island and in Ketchikan. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Grasser was in possession of $89,703 in drug proceeds and property that he obtained from his drug trafficking activities, which included 11 firearms, artwork, vessels, tenders, motorcycles, utility trailers, containers, and gun safes. “Protecting the citizens of rural Alaska is a high priority for my office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder. “According to the 2010 U.S. Census Borough, the population of Craig is 1,201, which means the amount of drugs seized from Grasser would be enough for nearly one gram of methamphetamine, or approximately 10 dosage units for every single person in the community. The citizens of Craig, including the young people, are safer because of the efforts of the law enforcement agencies that investigated this case.” “Alaska State Troopers take the trafficking of illicit drugs seriously,” said Major Andrew Greenstreet, Acting Director of the Alaska State Troopers. “We’re grateful for the partnership with other law enforcement agencies on this case, and will continue efforts to prevent dangerous drugs from hitting our streets.” “Postal Inspectors worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement in Southeast Alaska and the surrounding area on this investigation,” said Seattle Division Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. We take drug trafficking crimes very seriously and will continue to vigorously protect the U.S. Mail, communities, and customers against all forms of criminal attack and misuse.” The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Craig Police Department, and Klawock Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt. Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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