Man accused of trafficking heroin
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 6 months AGO
Best
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 15, 2021 1:00 AM
RATHDRUM — A man accused of trafficking heroin while on felony probation is being held on $200,000 bond.
Dwayne E. Best, 57, of Rathdrum, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and with trafficking in heroin, both felonies.
Probation officers requested that detectives with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office assist with a probation check at Best’s residence on Tuesday.
Police said drug paraphernalia was in plain view in Best’s bedroom. A search of the room allegedly yielded about 9 grams of heroin packaged in numerous plastic baggies, as well as about 16 grams of meth.
A safe in the bedroom contained more paraphernalia, police said, as well as a large amount of cash and a loaded revolver.
Best allegedly told police he gave and sold heroin to friends.
Messages on his phone, which he gave police permission to inspect, reportedly indicated that he was selling heroin.
Police arrested Best at the scene.
Prosecutors said in court Wednesday that Best has been charged with 35 crimes throughout several states since 1989.
He was previously convicted of four felonies, including three DUI convictions in Idaho and Montana and eluding in Idaho.
Judge John Cafferty ordered Wednesday that Best be held on $200,000 bail.
In Idaho, trafficking between 7 and 28 grams of heroin is a felony punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
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