Judge Sets $7,000 Bail For Post Falls Meth Lab Suspect

A 27-year-old Post Falls man appeared in court Monday to answer drug charges arising from the latest discovery of a methamphetamine lab.

Travis J. Craig faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine with intent to manufacture. All three charges carry a potential life prison sentence, said Joel Hazel, county deputy prosecutor.

First District Court Magistrate John Luster set Craig’s bail Monday at $7,000. Craig has been held at the Kootenai County Jail since his arrest Friday afternoon.

State Criminal Investigations Bureau agents found the drugs and chemicals when they came to Craig’s home at 3470 Sky Blue Road to arrest him about 1:45 p.m. on a misdemeanor warrant, said special agent George Phillips. Craig hid from the officers in a basement closet but eventually was arrested peacefully.

Agents returned with a warrant to search the house about two hours later and seized the clandestine drug lab in the basement. A personal-use quantity of meth also was found, Phillips said.

Friday’s discovery continued a recent surge in meth lab activity. Police have discovered two dozen meth labs so far this year.

Officers dismantled 40 labs all of last year - triple the number found in 1997.

Working from a tip that Craig may be making drugs, officers began investigating him on Friday and discovered the outstanding warrant.

Agents noticed the suspected lab while trying to arrest Craig, Phillips said. He described the lab as capable of producing enough meth to support the habit of the manufacturer and a few friends.