Marijuana bust in Trapper Creek yields 384 plants

Investigators with Alaska Drug Enforcement and the Talkeetna Patrol broke a marijuana ring in Trapper Creek Tuesday.

According to the Troopers, four search warrants in the Trapper Creek area were executed. The warrants led investigators to the discovery of a fifth grow that was unrelated to the four other marijuana operations found. Investigators with Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics team and the Fugitive Task Force located 384 marijuana plants in different locations all in different stages of growth. Three large generators and other equipment related to the operation were seized.

Trapper Creek residents Duane and Gary McCormick and James Butts were all arrested on felony drug charges.

Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says this large bust was way beyond the scope of the latest national news in which the US District Attorney has said less attention will be paid to medical marijuana grow operations. She says the investigation in this case has been on going since June of this year.

Troopers say the investigation continues and there may be pending charges on other individuals not named.