Police Search at Dutch Harbor Asia Yields Hard Drugs
Wednesday, May 28 2014
Courtesy of Patrick Cyr
Unalaska's Department of Public Safety has traced alleged sales of heroin -- and possibly other narcotics -- back to a local business.
More than $10,000 worth of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine was recovered from Dutch Harbor Asia on Saturday -- hours after police sent a criminal informant to purchase drugs from his sources in the community.
Shane Wicke, 37, was already facing two felony drug charges for allegedly selling -- and attempting to sell -- meth to a police informant in late April. He agreed to help to improve his chances of getting leniency.
According to court documents, Wicke reached out to Eric Roach on Saturday and asked to be "hooked up."
Public safety director Jamie Sunderland says officers have made contact with Roach, 46, many times.
"If you remember back to last fall, Eric Roach was one of the men who was gathered up in that kind of larger operation that we ran," Sunderland says.
Roach was charged with selling meth in September, but convicted of a lesser crime. He served jail time for that offense and had only returned to Unalaska within the last month or so, Sunderland says.
When Roach received the order to purchase drugs this weekend, police allege that he got into a taxi and drove to Dutch Harbor Asia -- a small shop located on the ground floor of the Dutch Harbor Mall.
Roach allegedly walked away with two small bags of heroin, which he gave to the criminal informant.
At that point, officers moved in and seized the Dutch Harbor Asia store. Sunderland says they arrested 45-year-old Tam Nguyen. He alleges "that is because he sold this Eric Roach the heroin."
"He was at his business at the time of the sale and was the only one in the store," Sunderland says.
Dutch Harbor Asia is owned by Thu McConnell, according to a business license on file with the city of Unalaska. McConnell has identified herself as the owner on licenses dating back to 2010.
On Saturday night, police obtained search warrants and began combing through the Dutch Harbor Asia store. They found 11 packets of heroin, 15 packets of cocaine, and 29 packets of meth.
"Although in total -- like with weight -- it might not be a tremendous amount, I think it’s substantial for here," Sunderland says. "And we’re certainly glad to put a stop to that."
According to court documents, there were also several digital scales and a loaded semiautomatic handgun and magazines. Officers also reported finding the marked bills they provided to their informant to purchase heroin.
Tam Nguyen has been charged with six felonies related to the distribution or possession of drugs, and one felony for possessing a firearm in relation to those alleged crimes. His bail has been set at $150,000.
Eric Roach was arrested and charged with a Class A felony for allegedly delivering drugs. His bail is $50,000.
Neither Roach nor Nguyen has made bail. They have been transported to an Anchorage jail, and they have both obtained private attorneys.
Wicke, the criminal informant who agreed to purchase drugs for the Unalaska police, has been issued a summons for arraignment on his felony charges.
Concerned Citizen on Friday, May 30 2014:
To the person using a local residents name (twice now) to write a confusing comment. Get a life! Not funny.
Had It With You Idiots on Thursday, May 29 2014:
Is it Ok to say PULL YOUR HEADS OUT idiots?
Would you feel safe walking through Unisea property about 1:30am on a Friday night? No, and it's not because Dutch Harbor Asia is in the Unisea Mall. It's because there is dealer of the most dangerous drug right across the street from the mall, yes idiots it's alcohol and before you open your foolish mouths and spout ANY nonsense look at statistics from wherever the countless studies are published, how many DUI deaths and accidents annually? Deaths due to alcohol's affects on the body physically? Domestic abuse cases related to alcohol? Deaths in the street outside a bar, sound familiar? Compare that to all hard drugs combined. If you hate illegal drugs then you must also hate alcohol or you are a hypocrite and probably a moron.
And also cops, you are so lame, instead of fighting the drunks you take the easy way out, bust the non violent, quiet criminals. Go do your jobs at two am.
And screw you to anyone insulting Tam he is always polite, helpful, and a good guy. If you want to fight against drugs go after Unisea for their over serving bartenders and under achieving security, oh yes and their greedy managers releasing drunks into our streets nightly.
Tam good luck true friends support you.
Dbaggins is right on Thursday, May 29 2014:
Tam Nguyen has been this community's biggest drug dealer for the longest time. And it was obvious. He made Steve Rosa look like an angel. Over half of the drug-addicted drug dealers that have been caught in the last five years alone have been Tam's henchmen. Where's the updated article on the $500.000 worth of drugs found at their home?
Mr. Understood on Thursday, May 29 2014:
Glad UPD is working to address the drug problem in town. But after imprisonment, when do we address the needs for rehab.
LOL on Thursday, May 29 2014:
That's funny. I still feel safe walking around at night and leaving my car and home unlocked. And I'm well aware drugs are prevalent in the town. I don't remember the last time someone got high and attacked anyone I knew in the middle of the night or robbed someone or stole someone's car. LOL. But on a more serious note, this is sad that someone like Tam was involved with drugs. Praying for the family.
Pissed off, but glad about this! on Thursday, May 29 2014:
It's about time. I am so sick of hearing about this kind of #@$& happening on our beautiful island! When I was in HS here about a decade ago, I used to feel safe about walking anywhere at night, and we never locked our doors or cars. Now, it almost seems like it's a necessity.
America is getting crazier by the day, people. Dutch Harbor is no exception.
Mr. Understood on Thursday, May 29 2014:
What do soccer moms have to do with anything here?
Confused on Thursday, May 29 2014:
I really doubt that the Bruce McConnell that I know wrote that comment above.???
Yep finally on Thursday, May 29 2014:
It's about time the cops get a true criminal. Enough of this bs going after weed and soccer moms
Finally on Wednesday, May 28 2014:
The police arrest an actual big time drug dealer. It's been a long time coming. Let's hope they didn't screw up the investigation.