Idaho State Police pursuit leads to major drug seizure near Pocatello

BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A vehicle pursuit near Pocatello led to Idaho State Police seizing a large quantity of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. 

According to the Idaho State Police, the incident happened just before midnight on May 18 when a Domestic Highway Enforcement trooper spotted a sedan with California license plates failing to signal while turning from Interstate 86 onto Interstate 15.

When the trooper attempted a traffic stop near milepost 74 in Bannock County, police say the driver refused to stop, leading troopers on a pursuit.

With assistance from the Fort Hall Police Department, officers deployed spike strips that brought the pursuit to an end.

Police identified the driver as a 40-year-old man from Fargo, North Dakota. He was arrested without further incident. 

According to troopers, a search of the vehicle uncovered approximately one pound of fentanyl powder, two pounds of methamphetamine, more than two pounds of cocaine, and a half pound of marijuana.

The suspect was booked into the Bingham County Jail on probable cause charges including trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, and felony eluding.

“This seizure highlights the value of having a dedicated team focused on disrupting drug trafficking across Idaho,” Lt. Ryan Hoxie said in a statement.

The Idaho State Police Domestic Highway Enforcement team is part of Gov. Brad Little’s Esto Perpetua initiative aimed at combating drug trafficking and organized narcotics activity across Idaho.