Idaho State Police and the Coeur d'Alene Police Department are to receive a combined $470,000 as a result of a major drug investigation in Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint.

ISP received a check for $456,445 for its role in the Robert L. Mertens drug investigation in Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint.

Coeur d'Alene police will receive a check for $18,630, for its share of the asset forfeiture proceeds.

Coeur d'Alene police Sgt. Christie Wood said drug asset forfeiture money goes to support the operating costs of drug enforcement.

"This money will be utilized for various equipment needs over time," Wood said. "Nothing specific has been identified yet. The supervisors of the unit and the chief of police will make the future determination."

Mertens, 54, was found guilty at trial of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine, heroin and marijuana in Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, an other locations.

Mertens used his former business, Northwest Coin and Jewelry at 501 W. Appleway, to launder his drug proceeds.

In December 2004, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Lodge sentenced Mertens to 37 years in prison.

The Mertens investigation began in mid-2002 and continued through the early part of 2003, when Mertens and others were indicted for drug and firearms violations.

The arrest of Mertens occurred in April 2003, and was timed to coincide with the execution of financial search warrants on Northwest Coin and Jewelry and Mertens' two residences, one in Coeur d'Alene and the other in Sandpoint.

Authorities seized financial records, coins, gold bullion, silver bullion, antiques, and firearms.

Mertens and three others were subsequently charged in July 2003, with money laundering and additional drug trafficking violations. Mertens was found guilty following a 12-day jury trial in September 2004.

"The investigation, prosecution and conviction of Robert Mertens was a success on many levels," said U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. "A drug trafficker who was harming Idahoans was removed from the community and received a lengthy prison sentence."

Olson said through the financial investigation and forfeiture proceedings Mertens was stripped of his ill-gotten gains, helping to financially reimburse and reinvigorate state and local law enforcement agencies.

ISP Col. G. Jerry Russell said, "Due to the collaboration with our local and federal partners we were able to dismantle a long-term narcotics trafficking organization and make a positive impact to the citizens of these communities."

Sean Sowards, special agent in charge of Internal Revenue Service criminal investigation, said, "The success of this investigation was due in large part to the efforts of the Idaho State Police and the Coeur d'Alene Police Department."

Under federal law, property involved in various crimes, including drug cultivation, may be seized and forfeited.

In this case, the IRS was the seizing agency. Olson's office filed the forfeiture actions in federal court in Boise.

As a result of Mertens' conviction, the court ordered the forfeiture of properties and other assets.