Weekend busts net half pound of meth

In two busts over the weekend, Idaho State Police removed more than a half pound of methamphetamine from the streets and arrested five suspects.

Shortly after midnight Saturday on Interstate 90, troopers arrested Johnny J. Anderson, 42 and Ryan T. Ricci, 38, of Kent, Wash., after stopping their white work truck near Mullan Trail.

A witness had reported the truck was driving erratically, swerving and at one point clocked the vehicle as driving 10 mph, police said.

Troopers watched the vehicle cross the center line and drive on the rumble strip after crossing the fog line.

Police found almost 3 ounces of methamphetamine in a jacket pocket in the truck, and a gram of heroin in a suitcase, according to a report.

Both men are being held in the Kootenai County jail on trafficking charges, which carry mandatory minimum sentences. They are also charged with drug and paraphernalia possession and DUI.

Later in the day, troopers stopped a black, 2008 Chevrolet Impala with Texas license plates as it headed east near the Harrison exit of I-90.

Police arrested the driver, Jonathan R. Ducker, 28, of Superior, Mont., Mark Coleman, 19, whom police said handed them a jar of commercial marijuana, and Stacie L. Derenski, 26, who had a Washington driver’s license.

Inside the car, troopers found baggies, scales, paraphernalia and close to 180 grams — about 6 ounces — of methamphetamine, police said.

Police also confiscated a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun. Ducker, who has felony convictions in Washington for burglary and theft, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. All three of the suspects face trafficking charges, and are in the Kootenai County jail.

The five suspects will have a preliminary hearing within 21 days in Coeur d’Alene’s First District Court.