Wiretap reveals kidnapping plot, drug trafficking from Boise North End
An Idaho man who led a drug trafficking organization from Boise’s North End neighborhood was sentenced to over 21 years in prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho.
Evan Ernston, 48, was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, after his arrest returning from Oregon with a load of meth and cocaine in March 2024. Ernston was also armed with a loaded gun at the time, the office said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s investigation included a wiretap and a seizure of 10 pounds of meth, 1 kilogram of cocaine and four guns, according to the news release.
During the wiretap, law enforcement learned someone had stolen tens of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds from Ernston while he was out of town, according to the release.
Ernstson planned to “kidnap two individuals, zip-tie them and torture them until the money was returned,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. However, agents intervened and prevented the kidnapping, according to the release.
“Mr. Ernstson led a drug trafficking ring that not only poisoned Idaho with large quantities of methamphetamine and other drugs, but was poised to kidnap and torture to further his criminal enterprise,” David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle, said in the release.
Ernston is the third member of this drug trafficking group to be sentenced to prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
