Narcotics, 23 firearms, cash. Caldwell police arrest ‘drug cartel’ suspects after raid
Two law enforcement agencies teamed up in a raid this week at a Caldwell home in what they said was an ongoing investigation into drug-related crimes, and they obtained a “high-risk” search warrant because the residence was believed to contain a high number of weapons.
SWAT teams from the Caldwell Police Department and Canyon County Sheriff’s Department worked together to execute a no-knock warrant early Tuesday morning, according to a Caldwell police news release. They entered a home at 200 East Elgin Street and employed tear gas and “flash bang” devices, the release said.
Two people in the apartment were “taken into custody without incident or force,” according to the release. Both remained in the Canyon County jail as of Wednesday afternoon, facing charges such as possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use and possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver.
Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram said executing a high-risk warrant without anyone being injured is the “best-case scenario.”
“Law enforcement operations are inherently dangerous,” Ingram told the Idaho Statesman. “However, when officers believe or have reason to believe that there are firearms or other weapons that could result in great bodily injury or deadly force, we exhaust all means and resources to deploy and de-escalate the situation.”
Law enforcement suspected both suspects of “being in a Mexican drug cartel,” according to the release. Ingram declined to comment on why police believed that, citing the need to protect the officers in the investigation. He also declined to comment on why they believed the home to be a target.
Ingram said the investigation is ongoing and police are still seeking a third person connected to the case. “There is no immediate threat to the community,” he said.
This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 7:18 PM.
