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ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Law enforcement agencies made the biggest meth seizure in state history today, seizing 23 pounds of Mexican meth and arresting four people accused of trafficking it into the state by shipping it in a pickup truck.
United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler said in a statement that four individuals were arrested as a result of a result of a joint effort by federal and local law enforcement agencies in Alaska, Washington, and California.
The amount seized is the largest known seizure of meth being sent to Alaska.
Ricky Reese, age 51, of Wasilla, is alleged to be the recipient of the 23 pounds of meth. Also arrested in Anchorage were Jared Lisenby, 29, of Anchorage, Ronald Hall, 78, of California, and Debja Steilen, 54, of California.
Affidavits filed in federal court allege the following:
On March 29, 2009, investigators with DEA in Anchorage seized $12,000 from a vehicle being sent from Anchorage to Seattle.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle, a 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck, had been shipped back and forth from Anchorage to Seattle on numerous occasions, despite having more than 300,000 miles on its odometer.
The person shipping the vehicle was identified as Ronald Hall, who had prior drug trafficking convictions.
From Seattle, the vehicle was taken to Oregon and then California.
In California, investigators identified another vehicle associated with Hall, a 2005 Ford Explorer registered to Debja Steilen.
Surveillance indicated that Hall and Steilen drove the 2005 Ford Explorer from California to Fife, Washington, where they put the vehicle on a barge bound for Alaska.
DEA Agents in Seatac, Washington executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found approximately 23 pounds of meth in a trapped door underneath the rear seat of the Explorer. Agents removed the meth and allowed the vehicle to continue on to Anchorage.
After the Ford Explorer arrived in Anchorage, on December 28, the meth was replaced with fake drugs and the trapped door in the vehicle was wired so as to alert agents when it was opened.
That same day, Hall and Steilen flew from Long Beach, California to Anchorage, where Jared Lisenby picked them up.
On December 29, Hall and Steilen picked up the vehicle from the shipping company and were followed by law enforcement back to Lisenby's residence, located at 4610 E. 102nd Ave in Anchorage.
Inside they found Hall, Steilen and Lisenby, who was holding some of the fake meth.
Agents used a search warrant to search the residence and Lisenby's vehicle. Officers recovered more than 16 firearms, including a Benelli semi-automatic shotgun, which was found adjacent to a plastic tub containing approximately four pounds of marijuana. There were multiple service rifles, body armor, and approximately 3000 rounds of ammunition, and other drug paraphernalia.
That day, investigators received information from a confidential source that the meth was to be delivered to Ricky Reese, proprietor of Shooter's Billiards in Wasilla. After a number of phone calls between the source and Reese, Reese agreed to meet with the source to take possession of the meth.
Reese also indicated that he would bring approximately $100,000 in partial payment for the meth. Reese was taken into custody at the Costco on Bragaw Rd. in Anchorage after taking possession of the fake meth.
A large amount of bulk currency was seized, which has yet to be counted. Hall and Steilen are charged in federal court in Tacoma, Washington with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth.
Reese and Lisenby are charged in federal court in Anchorage with attempting to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute.
Both charges carry maximum penalties that include a minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of life in prison, a $4 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release.
To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.
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