Drug suspect allegedly tipped off about raid

A Naples area man is believed to have destroyed an unknown amount of marijuana plants before police raided a property at  1681 Ruby Creek Road, for a suspected marijuana growing operation.

Police did find enough evidence, however to charge Ezra Skinner, 20.

It is believed Skinner was tipped off prior to the Aug. 11 search of his home.  Heading up the search was  Boundary County Drug Task Force, the sheriff’s office, Bonners Ferry Police and Idaho State Police  on Aug. 11.

Ten officers searched the 40-acres for marijuana plants, according to Sheriff Chief Deputy Rich Stephens. 

According to Stephens a large portion of the marijuana plants were destroyed, and the plants were uprooted. 

“The plants were not there, but through investigation  with the (Boundary County Drug) task force they were able to recover enough plants to charge Skinner,” said Stephens.

Stephens believes there were more plants on the property than were recovered and many were destroyed. 

“They buried some, they got rid of some, and literally pulled them out and ditched a lot of it,” said Stephens.

After a thorough investigation and hours of interviews, the Boundary County Drug Task Force was able to gather enough information to recover enough to charge Skinner with manufacturing of a controlled substance and destruction of evidence, both are felonies.