Drug traffickers nabbed in ISP emphasis patrol

Fall is once again upon us and with the changing of the season, there are certain things that Silver Valley residents can count on such as trees changing color, the temperature dropping and Idaho State Police conducting an enforcement emphasis.

ISP troopers from across the state descended upon Shoshone County last week for a significant criminal interdiction operation that also saw several local agencies lend a hand as well.

While these operations are held partly to ensure driver safety in the selected area of operation — in this case, mostly the west-end of the Silver Valley — they are also well-known for their drug busts.

Over the course of this latest three-day operation, Shoshone County jail bookings show that seven individuals were booked for various drug related crimes.

On Oct. 8, ISP arrested George Tochihara Sheh, 22, of Seattle, Wash., for drug trafficking in cocaine, use or possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of less than 3 ounces of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

The next day, Nicolas Keith Jolly, 28, of Belgrade, Mont., was also taken into custody for drug trafficking in cocaine, on top of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of less than 3 ounces of marijuana and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

The busiest day of the operation was by far Thursday, in which troopers arrested five people for a myriad of drug related charges. One of these arrested individuals was Dakota Jordan Gunhammer, 25, of Ignatius, Mont. Gunhammer is being charged with drug trafficking in heroin, use or possession of a schedule II controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the arrests, law enforcement seized trafficking amounts of illegal substances including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, mushrooms and marijuana. A substantial amount of drug money was also discovered during the various traffic stops.

Sgt. Justin Klitch explains that seizing these funds is much more impactful to hindering drug operations than seizing the actual illegal product.

“The whole reason they are in this enterprise is for the money,” he said. “If you stop the money from getting to the drugs, you’ve basically put a blockage on several different drug transactions.”

These seized funds, if proven to be used for purchasing drugs, are used by agencies for drug crime operations and equipment. For example, ISP’s drug-seizure fund is used by detectives for undercover buys to bust dealers.

As for traffic violations, two individuals were taken into custody for driving under the influence — one under the influence of heron and methamphetamine, the other on alcohol and marijuana.

Anytime ISP makes marijuana related arrests and seizures, especially during these types of operations, it can become a heated topic of debate in the community. While events like these will continue to happen as long as Idaho law remains how it is, Sgt. Klitch explains that ISP has their eyes on bigger fish.

“It’s important for the people to know that we’re not out there looking for the personal weed smoker,” he said. “Although it’s illegal (in Idaho), we’re really looking for drug traffickers that are trying to harm our community, poison our children and kill people. Honestly, the personal weed smoker is not what we are interested in.”

With another emphasis in the books, it is important to acknowledge all of those who aided in the operation’s big success.

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Shoshone County K9 unit and the support of the Sheriff’s Office, which includes the jail. They did an awesome job,” Klitch said. “I don’t think the public understands how important it is to have a facility and staff that can take these criminals in.”

Annual emphasis operations like this one occur all over the state as products of the Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative.