KOOTENAI COUNTY, ID – The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit, with help from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department’s Community Action Team, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 7000 block of West Crenshaw Street in Rathdrum on October 31. The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity.

According to the sheriff’s office, detectives discovered an active crack cocaine manufacturing setup inside the residence. Additional evidence reportedly included powder cocaine, methamphetamine, illegally possessed hydrocodone, psilocybin mushrooms, cash, and drug distribution materials such as scales and packaging. Investigators also seized multiple firearms and ammunition.

Detectives arrested 61-year-old James M. Pond of Rathdrum for manufacturing crack cocaine, possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and hydrocodone, and possession with intent to deliver psilocybin mushrooms. Pond was booked into the Kootenai County Jail and is being held without bail.

During the search, detectives also found a family with three children living in a shed behind the main residence. The Rathdrum Police Department responded and initiated a separate child abuse investigation. Summons for child abuse were issued to the children’s parents, and the three minors were placed in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.