The following information is preliminary and subject to change as the incident is currently under investigation. Events in this press release may change as the investigation progresses.

Post Falls, Idaho– In the evening hours of 10/23/2023, a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop for a minor traffic violation in the area of Interstate 90 and Pleasantview Road in Post Falls, Idaho. During the course of the traffic stop, K9 Appa conducted an external sniff of the vehicle and alerted on the vehicle. During a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle, approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine was located.
 
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jose E. Ramos, a 22-year-old male from Yakima, Washington. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Guillermo M. Duarte, a 20-year-old male from Yakima, Washington.
Ramos was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for trafficking methamphetamine. Duarte was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for trafficking methamphetamine.