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ISP, KCSO wrap up I-90 interdiction operation

by CHANSE WATSON
Hagadone News Network | February 13, 2021 1:00 AM

WOLF LODGE — Idaho State Police and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office recently wrapped up an emphasis patrol on Interstate 90 from Fernan to the Wolf Lodge area.

The three-day High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Highway Interdiction Operation unites law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies and concentrate them in a specific area.

In this most recent case, units had their sights on crime coming in and out of Kootenai County.

"It's always a good opportunity for us to go out there and not only make an impact by hopefully getting some drugs off the highway, but to also get wanted people with guns," KSCO Sgt. John Brandel said.

Law enforcement located plenty of both after conducting more than 100 traffic stops in a 10-mile stretch of I-90.

Among the more than 15 arrests made during the operation, five involved significant amounts of methamphetamine being seized. The only DUI arrest also involved meth — as the driver was under the influence of it at the time.

An ISP spokesperson said the operation yielded seizures of several illegally possessed or stolen firearms, many being linked with the drug arrests.

The operation also yielded several felony fugitive arrests — one of which was an individual wanted for murder and aggravated assault from California.

"A lot of bad people went to jail during this operation," the ISP spokesperson said. "It just shows that with teamwork between agencies, we can accomplish a lot and deter a lot of crime in our communities."

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Photo courtesy of IDAHO STATE POLICE

Methamphetamine and miscellaneous marijuana paraphernalia seized during the operation.

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Photo courtesy of IDAHO STATE POLICE

A SIG P320 handgun that was seized from the only marijuana trafficker that was arrested during the operation.