ANCHORAGE, AK - Stephen J. Cox, the attorney general for the state of Alaska, is seeking clarification from Alaska Airlines regarding a company policy that, according to him, may be discouraging employees from cooperating with police efforts to stop illegal drugs from entering the state.
In a letter to Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, Cox outlined Alaska's escalating drug crisis and argued that the state's geographic isolation makes commercial aviation a critical checkpoint for intercepting illicit substances, AK News Source reported.
"Unlike many other states, Alaska's geographic isolation and transportation realities mean that virtually all illicit drugs consumed in Alaska are imported from outside the state," Cox wrote, noting the isolation creates higher drug prices that make the state attractive to trafficking organizations.
State data show overdose deaths rose from 121 in 2015 to 339 in 2024, an increase of about 180 percent. Cox also raised concerns about reports that Alaska Airlines had adopted internal practices discouraging employees from cooperating with police outside formal legal processes.
According to Cox's letter, employees have been instructed not to provide information to law enforcement and may face discipline or termination if their cooperation is discovered.
Cox said this dynamic has impacted prosecutions. In some cases, prosecutors have declined to pursue cases out of concern that calling an Alaska Airlines employee as a witness could expose that employee to workplace retaliation. "That outcome serves neither public safety nor justice," Cox wrote.
The letter also points to what Cox described as inconsistencies with Alaska Airlines' own Code of Conduct. In some situations, employees are encouraged to contact law enforcement, such as when suspected human rights violations occur. Yet in another section, the code warns employees against cooperating with law government officials or law enforcement without legal approval, with potential discipline for violations.
Cox acknowledged the importance of privacy, due process, and civil rights, but said policies that deter good-faith cooperation with law enforcement could unintentionally shield criminal activity.
Cox invited Alaska Airlines leaders to meet with the Department of Law to discuss the rationale behind the policies and explore whether clarification is needed. As of this writing, Alaska Airlines had reportedly not publicly responded to Cox's letter.
In a letter to Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, Cox outlined Alaska's escalating drug crisis and argued that the state's geographic isolation makes commercial aviation a critical checkpoint for intercepting illicit substances, AK News Source reported.
"Unlike many other states, Alaska's geographic isolation and transportation realities mean that virtually all illicit drugs consumed in Alaska are imported from outside the state," Cox wrote, noting the isolation creates higher drug prices that make the state attractive to trafficking organizations.
State data show overdose deaths rose from 121 in 2015 to 339 in 2024, an increase of about 180 percent. Cox also raised concerns about reports that Alaska Airlines had adopted internal practices discouraging employees from cooperating with police outside formal legal processes.
According to Cox's letter, employees have been instructed not to provide information to law enforcement and may face discipline or termination if their cooperation is discovered.
Cox said this dynamic has impacted prosecutions. In some cases, prosecutors have declined to pursue cases out of concern that calling an Alaska Airlines employee as a witness could expose that employee to workplace retaliation. "That outcome serves neither public safety nor justice," Cox wrote.
The letter also points to what Cox described as inconsistencies with Alaska Airlines' own Code of Conduct. In some situations, employees are encouraged to contact law enforcement, such as when suspected human rights violations occur. Yet in another section, the code warns employees against cooperating with law government officials or law enforcement without legal approval, with potential discipline for violations.
Cox acknowledged the importance of privacy, due process, and civil rights, but said policies that deter good-faith cooperation with law enforcement could unintentionally shield criminal activity.
Cox invited Alaska Airlines leaders to meet with the Department of Law to discuss the rationale behind the policies and explore whether clarification is needed. As of this writing, Alaska Airlines had reportedly not publicly responded to Cox's letter.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2026-01-07T22:26-0500 | Comment by: Sher
Alaska deserves the utmost enforcement of drug laws, the land of the brave?! After living there for eight years I am so sad to see how much it has changed and not for the better. God help what used to be the best state in the union.