Nearly 1,000 fentanyl pills intercepted by task force

COLFAX — During the weekend detectives of the Quad Cities Drug Task Force (QCDTF) observed suspects they believed to regularly trafficking fentanyl pills into the Lewiston/Clarkston area, a media release from Monday, Nov. 21 reports.

Detectives with the Quad Cities Drug Task Force obtained information regarding Lewiston natives Kimberlee A. Perrigo, 39, and Joshua E. Hescock, 33 who were believed to be trafficking fentanyl pills into the Lewiston/Clarkston (LC) area regularly, keeping the narcotics in an undisclosed storage unit in Clarkston.

The weekend of Saturday Nov. 19 through Sunday 20, reports state that detectives observed Perrigo, and Hescock leaving Spokane Valley, headed north on back roads to secure additional supplies of narcotics. Reports state that once the suspects returned to LC Valley detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the storage unit, locating approximately 900 fentanyl pills.

The suspects were detained and arrested during a traffic stop, during which reports state that approximately 100 more fentanyl pills were located. Perrigo and Hescok were booked into Nez Perce County Jail on narcotics related charges.

Reports state that detectives believe Perrigo and Hescock have been distributing illegal narcotics to include fentanyl pills into the LC Valley on a weekly basis. The QCDTF worked closely with the Lewiston Police Department and the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Deputy to successfully close the investigation.

“We are seeing that this Fentanyl epidemic is really taking hold in this area,” Whitman County Sheriff and QCDTF Commander, Brett Myers said, noting that this is probably a direct result of lax drug laws in the state, “We are seeing a step backwards in our drug enforcement across the country.”

According to the sheriff, the circulation of “Mexies” here began its climb after a bill reducing law enforcement capabilities passed the Legislature on Feb. 25, 2021.

The new law changed the conviction process and prohibited charges until a third arrest of an individual for drug possession.

Rather than arresting someone for felony for drug possession, officers are required to refer an individual for drug treatment until a third arrest. On the third arrest, the person in possession may only be charged with a misdemeanor, under the law.

Disguised as a small blue pill, the Sheriff’s Office reports the tablets look nearly identical to oxycontin and are pressed in an unsafe and unmonitored environment.

The Quad Cities Drug Task Force is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance to combat narcotics distribution in Southeastern Washington and Western Idaho Counties.