Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott confirmed that eleven Idaho defendants were convicted of federal drug trafficking charges following a large-scale investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Detectives from the Idaho State Police Department began investigating Austin Lee in early 2023, long before any convictions were made. Idaho police believed Lee was in charge of distributing large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine in southern Idaho.
“In July 2023, the investigation expanded to include Lee’s Mexico-based drug supplier and other co-conspirators,” stated David Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division.
“The investigation revealed that recent parolees were recruited into the conspiracy before being released from prison. These conspirators assisted in the trafficking of fentanyl from the United States to Mexico for distribution in Idaho.”
Amount of fentanyl, methamphetamine recovered
The OCDETF-led investigation led to the seizure of over 48,000 fentanyl pills and four pounds of methamphetamine from Lee’s operation.
“The DEA and our partners will work tirelessly to stop drug traffickers from flooding our communities with drugs and violence,” Reames told reporters. “Two milligrams of fentanyl are considered a potentially fatal dose. The amount of fentanyl seized in this case had the potential to kill over 46,000 people, enough to fill Boise State’s football stadium.
Nine of the eleven defendants were sentenced to prison, with terms ranging from 24 to 140 months. The other two received multiple years of probation.
“We are proud that the State of Idaho collaborates so effectively with our federal partners to protect the public,” Governor Brad Little said.
“The goal of our Operation Esto Perpetua initiative is to provide law enforcement with the necessary training and tools to keep Idaho safe.” Today’s announcement of the conviction of 11 drug traffickers demonstrates that what Idaho is doing is effective.”