Ketchikan police arrested a 39-year-old Washington State man Sunday morning and charged him with possession and intent to distribute about 7 ounces of methamphetamine.
Police estimate a street value of the seized drugs at up to $100,000.
According to Sgt. Andy Berntson, Phong Q. Nguyen was contacted soon after he got off the ferry from Bellingham, at about 7 a.m. Sunday. Police had information that he was carrying drugs, and already had obtained a search warrant.
Berntson says they found the meth hidden in a secret compartment in Nguyen’s suitcase. Berntson added that it appeared Nguyen was going to drop the drugs off, then get on a plane back to Washington Sunday afternoon.
Nguyen, who is a Vietnamese national, was charged with one felony count of third-degree controlled-substance misconduct. He was arraigned Monday, and bail was set at $50,000.
Berntson says local police are working with other law enforcement agencies to continue the investigation, and that Nguyen’s arrest was just the start of the process.
