(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Officers of the Ketchikan Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service completed an investigation Wednesday into the importation and distribution of Methamphetamine into Ketchikan.  Multiple search warrants were executed in the case and approximately 23 grams of Methamphetamine were seized from a shipment to a North Tongass Highway residence.

Christopher J. Kitsmille, 38 years-of-age of Ketchikan, was arrested and charged with Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree for the possession of Methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

According to information provided by Lieutenant Joe White of the Ketchikan Police Department, Kitsmiller has prior convictions in reference to the sales of controlled substances. Kitsmiller was arraigned and held on $50,000.00 bail.

Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug. While methamphetamine may be used legally when obtained with a prescription, it is otherwise considered a “controlled substance,” whose possession, sale, or manufacture is against the law. Meth is a particularly dangerous drug, causing many health and safety problems in those who use or manufacture it.

The penalties for meth possession, sale, and manufacture vary, depending on where the case is prosecuted. Greater penalties apply if a person is convicted not simply of possessing meth, but of possessing it with the intent to sell or traffic it. For example, under federal law, a first conviction for simple meth possession can result in “a term of imprisonment of not more than 1 year” (21 U.S.C. § 844(a)). In contrast, federal law mandates a prison term - even for first convictions - of at least 5 years for anyone convicted of possessing 5 grams of meth with the intent to distribute it, and at least 10 years for possessing 50 grams for distribution purposes (see 21 U.S.C. § 841(a), (b)(1)(B)(viii)).

It should be noted, charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On the Web:

National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine

Source of News: 

Ketchikan Police Department

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