BF street closed due to meth lab

BONNERS FERRY — A Moyie Springs couple transported what they suspected to be a methamphetamine manufacturing lab from their home to Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday at 1 p.m., Dave and Mary Kopas brought the materials to the sheriff’s office after loading it into their personal vehicle.

The couple suspected their son Amos Kopas, 28,  and his wife Lindsay Woefel, 24, were using the manufacturing equipment which the Kopas’ found on their property.

Amos Kopas and Woefel came to Boundary County from Wisconsin where they are believed to have participated in the illicit manufacturing of meth.

A joint investigation by Bonners Ferry Police and Boundary County Sheriff Office resulted in the arrest of Amos Kopas and Woefel for drug related offenses, including the possession of paraphernalia and for the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Detective Sergeant Fred Swanson with Idaho State Police said transporting these types of hazardous material is dangerous and can be lethal. 

“Some of the process of meth conversion is in a gas generator,” Swanson said.  “When moved this can cause friction within the generator which produces the gasses; in a confined space like a car it can the fumes can cause a lethal reaction.”

Swanson said if a situation arises do not touch the material call police or sheriff. A hazardous materials environmental specialist will be sent to process the lab where it is found. 

If a meth lab is found at a home it will be locked down and sealed while they will determine what the chemicals are, collect evidence if there is a crime.  The hazardous materials specialist remove and destroy the chemicals, according to Swanson.

Bonners Ferry police, Boundary County sheriff deputies and Boundary County emergency management, evaluated the potential hazard relating to the lab items in the vehicle. The vehicle was secured on the street in front of the sheriff’s office and traffic on that part of First Street was closed until 7 p.m.

“People who find or suspect hazardous materials or manufacturing of meth should not try and move it themselves,” said police chief Rick Alonzo.      “They should contact the sheriff’s office immediately and let trained personnel deal with the removal.”

A specialized unit from the Idaho State Police and Region 1 Hazardous Materials Team responded to Bonners Ferry to secure the materials and remove them for evidence and disposal.