A $30,000 warrant has been issued for a Marion man who allegedly is involved in several ongoing drug and theft cases after he didn’t show up for his double arraignment for a third week.

Christopher Cole was charged with felony theft after he was arrested Aug. 20  in Columbia Falls for being in possession of a 2000 Grand Prix that was reported stolen a month earlier.

While in the Flathead County Detention Center, Cole was charged with possession of dangerous drugs and tampering with evidence after a bag of heroin was discovered when Cole was being removed from his jail cell on Aug. 20.

During a search, Cole was required to sit on a toilet and another plastic bag of suspected drugs fell from his bottom as he complained of diarrhea.

A deputy saw the drugs fall but Cole allegedly flushed the evidence before the deputy could collect it.

Federal authorities said last month it was unclear if Cole would face federal drug charges. Cole was allegedly caught in possession of two ounces of methamphetamine and $5,000 on Jan. 13.

Northwest Drug Task Force and Department of Homeland Security officers interviewed Cole, who said he had paid a dealer $22,000 for methamphetamine earlier that day. He did not pick up the drugs at the time of the money exchange, but said he had been getting three pounds of meth every two months.

Cole cooperated with police and served as an informant in a case where two Mexican men were sent to jail in September for dealing meth.

Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at [email protected].