Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Advertisements
DailyflyDailyfly

Idaho State News

Bonners Ferry Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Involvement in a Fentanyl Overdose Death

December 11, 2024

COEUR D’ALENE – Twyla Dawn Basil, 46, of Bonners Ferry, was sentenced to 15 years in federal  prison for distribution of fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury and death. Chief U.S. District  Judge David C. Nye also ordered that Basil pay restitution to the family of the victim. Upon completion  of her prison sentence, Basil will also be required to serve an additional three years of supervised  release. 

According to court records, on October 28, 2022, an inmate at the Boundary County Jail was found  unconscious in her cell. Despite attempts to revive her by medical personnel, the victim ultimately  died. A toxicology report and autopsy showed that the victim had a lethal dose of fentanyl in her  system at the time of her death. The coroner ultimately determined that she died of a fentanyl overdose.  

Local, state, and federal officers began an immediate investigation into the victim’s death. Jail staff  learned that shortly before the victim was found dead, Basil, who was in custody with her, had provided  the victim with fentanyl she had smuggled into the facility. Basil had been arrested the day before for  driving while under the influence of fentanyl. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl  was developed for severe pain management and prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or  lozenges. While prescription fentanyl can be diverted for misuse, most cases of fentanyl-related  overdoses in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl that is sold through illicit drug markets for  its heroin-like effect.  

Idaho has seen a massive influx of these pills in the last several years. Often, the pills are mass produced by criminal drug networks and falsely marketed as legitimate prescription pills. The pills  are made to look like prescription opioids such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone  (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall). Criminal drug  trafficking networks also increasingly distribute illicit fentanyl in powder form. In addition to cases in  which fentanyl powder is consumed on its own, authorities have found fentanyl powder mixed with  other street drugs. 

“No matter the location or the circumstances, any fentanyl-caused death is an intolerable tragedy,” said  U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We have re-doubled our efforts to train law enforcement to help us investigate  and prosecute fentanyl deaths. While we are seeing some signs of progress, we will continue the battle  against fentanyl for as long as it takes.” 

“The Idaho State Police remains steadfast in our commitment to protect our communities from the  devastating impact of fentanyl and other illicit drugs,” said Captain Paul Berger with ISP District  1. “This case underscores the tragic consequences of fentanyl trafficking and highlights the critical  need for ongoing collaboration between agencies. Together, we will continue to aggressively  investigate and prosecute those who bring this deadly substance into our state, holding them 

accountable for the harm they cause. We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and  reaffirm our dedication to preventing further tragedies caused by this dangerous drug.”  

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Idaho State Police and the and the North Idaho Narcotics  Enforcement (NINE) Taskforce for their thorough investigation on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney  Bryce Ellsworth prosecuted the case.  

The NINE Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement officers working together to  target drug trafficking in North Idaho. The task force is comprised of agents and officers from the  Idaho State Police, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),  the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Border Patrol, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and  the National Guard Counter Drug Program. 

Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Washington State News

Sandra Kinney December 5, 2024