Methamphetamine Arrests Bring North Idaho Total To Five

Two Coeur d’Alene residents were charged Monday with manufacturing illegal drugs after narcotics officers busted what they say is their fifth illegal drug lab in North Idaho this year.

Linda G. Marquart, 37, and Thomas Froman, 30, were arrested at a home on Blue Creek Bay Road east of Coeur d’Alene on Friday.

State narcotics officers said they believe the drug methamphetamine was being manufactured in the home but are waiting for the outcome of laboratory tests.

On Monday, Marquart and Froman were charged with possession of the chemical ephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

The number of meth labs busted has climbed dramatically in recent years.

In 1994, three meth labs were busted in all of Idaho. In 1996 that number jumped to 44.

Friday’s bust is the fifth so far for state narcotics officers working in North Idaho, said Wayne Longo, supervisor of the Idaho State Criminal Investigation Bureau in Coeur d’Alene.

Meanwhile Boise agents have busted 17 this year, he said.

Some agents there have racked up to 200 hours of overtime because they’ve been so busy. “Most of my squad is over 100,” Longo said.

The alleged drug lab found Friday is small, like most of those discovered lately, Longo said.

“I think it’s just the availability of the chemicals,” Longo said, pointing out that most of the ingredients needed to make meth can be bought in a local hardware store.

“People are figuring ‘Why buy it when I can make it myself,”’ he said.

Both suspects were booked into Kootenai County Jail. Marquart posted bond Monday and was released. Froman still was being held on $5,000 bail.

, DataTimes