An Anchorage drug dealer has been sentenced to 65 years in prison. Juan Mendiola was convicted in June of conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 500 grams or more of meth, 100 grams or more of heroin, 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and other drug crimes. He was also convicted of illegally possessing 2 fully automatic machine guns and other weapons.
The investigation on Mendiola began in July of 2005.
Drugs were being shipped from California to Anchorage to be distributed by Mendiola. Some of the cocaine was converted in Anchorage to crack cocaine. Drugs were then distributed in Anchorage and to other towns.
A number of federal and state agencies participated in the investigation and prosecution. Mendiola had a long history of possession of drugs and weapons.
