Two Anchorage heroin dealers were convicted last week on federal drug and weapons charges, according to U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler.
Christopher Thomas Mejia, 24, and Jared Thomas Bowers, 23, were found guilty of a drug trafficking conspiracy, attempted possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, according to a media release issued Monday afternoon from Loeffler's office.
Evidence presented at trial established that Mejia and Bowers conspired to distribute approximately 97 grams of heroin. They supplied their co-defendant, Rhadames Marmolejos Jr., with heroin eight times, and then Marmolejos sold the drugs to an undercover agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the release states.
Additionally, in February, officials with the US Postal Service intercepted a package containing about 2 pounds of heroin.
"The investigation revealed that Mejia intended to purchase one pound of that heroin for approximately $30,000," the release states. "Law enforcement arrested Mejia and Bowers as the two waited in a vehicle to purchase the heroin."
Officials said Mejia and Bowers had approximately $27,000 in cash on them, along with a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
Mejia and Bowers are in custody pending sentencing in October. They face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both. Marmolejos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both.
By Anchorage Daily News/ adn.com
Alaska Dispatch Publishing