Raid Yields 3 Arrests On Gun, Drug Counts

Three men were arrested in connection with a raid by local, state and federal agents on a suspected illegal drug lab in a junkyard packed with explosive chemicals, dynamite and assault weapons.

Police also seized caches of more than 20 guns, explosives and drugs from four locations in Cassia and Minidoka counties on Friday, Cassia County Sheriff Billy Crystal said.

Arrested on federal charges related to illegal firearms, explosives and drugs were James V. Parker, 31, of Burley; Wayne Dryden, 40, of Burley; and Craig Kraus, 37, of Paul.

Crystal said they were believed to be the key players in Cassia County’s first known methamphetamine lab. Methamphetamine or “crank” is a stimulant with a street value of $800 to $1,200 per ounce.

Dryden was arrested around 8 a.m. Friday in his car after leaving the junkyard. Police arrested Kraus during their raid on the junkyard shortly before noon, and Parker was arrested in his Burley home.

Neighbors in six houses were evacuated before Parker was arrested.

“We were concerned primarily with the safety of officers and neighbors,” Crystal said. “We took as few chances as we could to ensure safety.”

About 40 officers from the 13 agencies involved, including the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, were still assessing the bust late Friday.