Three arrested in Idaho, Washington on federal drug charges

Three men from Idaho and Washington face federal drug charges after a federal grand jury indicted them on Aug. 18 for allegedly possessing and distributing large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine. Blair T. Murphy, 40, of Lewiston and Darin K. Taylor, 55, of Post Falls were arrested separately this week. The FBI, DEA, Idaho State Police, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, Nez Perce Tribal Police and other federal agencies participated in the investigation and arrests, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho. Murphy was charged with distributing methamphetamine after a confidential informant purchased 42 grams of the drug from him on two occasions earlier this year, according to the criminal complaint. He faces a total of four charges with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. Taylor is also accused of distributing methamphetamine and faces a five year minimum sentence. A third man, Hugo Acevedo, 34, of Pullman was also indicted following an Aug. 14 arrest. According to the criminal complaint, federal agents found almost 120 grams of methamphetamine and 50 grams of heroin in Acevedo’s car after searching it in a Walmart parking lot. He faces charges for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. All three men pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday. Authorities seized methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, cash, firearms and stolen vehicles in the arrests, according to the news release.