Officers find suspected drugs on inmates at Fairbanks Correctional Center

During a search at Fairbanks Correctional Center on Tuesday, correctional officers found inmates carrying a white powder, white crystals, Suboxone and marijuana concentrates, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers responded to the jail just before 4 pm and are investigating it as first-degree promoting contraband, according to the trooper dispatch. That's a felony when the contraband is drugs, a weapon or something meant to help an escape, and it carries up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine, according to Department of Corrections guidance.

Troopers didn't say what the powder or crystals were, or how many inmates were involved. The dispatch reports no arrests or charges, and the investigation is ongoing.

It's at least the fourth time this year troopers have looked into drugs at the Fairbanks jail. In May, an inmate brought in by Pretrial Services was found with methamphetamine. In August, troopers sent a suspected substance found at the jail to the crime lab. And in September, officers found drugs on an inmate during booking. Charges in the May and September cases were sent to the District Attorney's Office.