Sheriff's Office K-9 sniffs out cocaine dealer

SMELTERVILLE — A Pinehurst man is currently facing a cocaine delivery charge after he had a run-in with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office’s drug detection K-9 last weekend.

SCSO Undersheriff Holly Lindsey reports that on May 4 around 7 p.m., deputies were conducting a routine patrol in the city of Smelterville when they noticed a gold Chevrolet Blazer, with Kootenai County license plates, parked on private property and in an area where recent thefts had occurred.

Deputies went to investigate and ended up making contact with the occupants of the vehicle. Soon after contact was made, deputy Ben Abshire deployed drug detection K-9, deputy Lulu, to conduct a free air sniff around the vehicle.

During the K-9 deployment, Lulu alerted to the vehicle which indicated the presence of illegal substances. This led to approximately 14 grams of cocaine being found.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Christopher C. Vergobbi, 24, of Pinehurst, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver cocaine (felony), possession of marijuana (misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

Sheriff Mike Gunderson stated that he was pleased to see K-9 Lulu being put to good use.

“The K-9 program and the deputies continue to work on criminal activity within the Silver Valley,” he said. “ The addition of the K-9 program has allowed us to make some great cases.”

According to iCourt, Vergobbi’s criminal history in Idaho includes previous drug possession charges and numerous vehicle and moving violations in both Shoshone and Kootenai counties.

His first court appearance was on May 6 before Judge Barbara Duggan at the Shoshone County Courthouse.