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Alaskan Authorities Crack Down on Drug Trafficking
Alaska – In a major blow to the state’s fight against narcotics, U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that a Sacramento woman was sentenced to federal prison for her role in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
Jennifer McGrath, 26, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced June 26, 2013, by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 38 months in prison for her role in the large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, the charges arose from a joint investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Port of Seattle Police, and the Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit, which were probing the importation of oxycodone and money laundering offenses in Alaska.
Between January 2009 and July 2010, McGrath was involved in a massive drug trafficking conspiracy transporting oxycodone from California to Juneau, Alaska, where it was later sold to local dealers. As part of the conspiracy, McGrath made multiple airline trips from California to Juneau, carrying the oxycodone pills on her person. She distributed the pills to local dealers and collected the drug proceeds, which she either laundered using commercial wire transfers or body-carried back to California for members of the conspiracy.
During the course of the conspiracy, McGrath transported approximately 1,500 pills of oxycodone and laundered over $14,000 in drug proceeds. On July 22, 2010, McGrath was contacted by law enforcement at the Seattle-Tacoma (SEA-TAC) Airport while in possession of approximately $7,000 in cash, which was seized by law enforcement.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter the defendant. He also highlighted the need to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant, to provide treatment in the most effective manner, and to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities as reasons for imposing the 38-month prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Loeffler commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Port of Seattle Police, and the Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit for their tireless efforts in investigating and prosecuting McGrath.
McGrath’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in illicit activities in our state. The authorities will continue to crack down on those involved in narcotics and money laundering, and we will work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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