A monthslong investigation into allegations that a Kenai Peninsula tobacco shop was selling Spice brought criminal charges against three Soldotna residents this week, Alaska State Troopers say.
According to the agency, Soldotna-based troopers initiated an investigation in October into Tobacco Distress, a shop located just off of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna.
Troopers initially seized 518 packets of Spice from the shop and sent them to the State Crime Lab for testing. Test results showed 146 of the packets contained chemicals controlled under state statutes, troopers said.
On Wednesday, troopers served a search warrant at Tobacco Distress and at the residence of the shop's owners, Phillip and Loren Kneeland. Investigators seized 6,000 packets of what was confirmed and suspected to be Spice, as well firearms and "other evidence of distribution," the agency said.
Subsequently, Phillip Kneeland, 33, was charged with third- and fourth-degree misconduct of a controlled substance and second-degree weapons misconduct. Loren Kneeland, 26, was charged with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. William Dooley, 27, was also charged with the same crimes as Phillip Kneeland in connection to the investigation.
Trooper spokesperson Beth Ipsen said Dooley worked for the Kneelands and sold the Spice. She said he also resisted arrest and was charged accordingly.
All three were booked at the Wildwood Pretrial Facility.