A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted two Anchorage residents on charges related to trafficking fentanyl and laundering drug proceeds. Corey Clifton, 51, and Elizabeth Cruickshank, 44, are accused of conspiring to distribute over 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl within Alaska between August 2024 and February 2025.
Court documents allege that Clifton shipped a parcel containing over 4.2 kilograms of fentanyl pills from Washington to Cruickshank in Alaska on August 6, 2024. The shipment was reportedly concealed inside drink mix containers. Furthermore, between November 7, 2024, and February 19, 2025, Cruickshank allegedly attempted to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute on three occasions.
On August 8, 2024, Clifton was also accused of possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. He had prior serious drug felony convictions from the years 2015 and 2017.
The indictment claims that Clifton and Cruickshank laundered over $500,000 in drug proceeds from April 2024 to early 2025. Both defendants face multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering conspiracy. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon for their initial court proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska announced the indictment along with Special Agent in Charge David F. Reames of the Seattle Field Division, Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the USPIS Seattle Division, and Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes of IRS CI’s Seattle Field Office.
The investigation is being conducted by several agencies including the DEA Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office, USPIS Anchorage Domicile, IRS CI Seattle Field Office with assistance from Alaska State Troopers and HIDTA Initiative’s SCAN team.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mac Caille Petursson and Cody Tirpak are leading the prosecution efforts under the Alaska Parcel Interdiction Initiative aimed at intercepting narcotics sent through mail services into Alaska.
This case forms part of Operation Take Back America which focuses on combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels alongside transnational criminal organizations.
An indictment remains an allegation until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
