A significant law enforcement operation involving multiple agencies has led to the conviction of 11 individuals in Idaho on federal drug trafficking charges. This outcome stems from a coordinated investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
The investigation commenced in early 2023 when Idaho State Police (ISP) detectives received intelligence about Austin Lee's involvement in distributing fentanyl in southern Idaho. Working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other agencies, ISP carried out controlled purchases of drugs from Lee and his associates, including Jamie Coltrin, Jenika Johnson, Brandon Dana, Tina Morris, and Daniel Coltrin.
By July 2023, the focus of the investigation widened to include Lee's alleged Mexico-based supplier and additional conspirators. Key figures involved were identified as Arafat Ramirez, Rosa Ramirez, Laila Ramirez-Martinez, Sammy Martinez, and Rachel Dixon. The investigation discovered that some recent parolees were recruited to assist in trafficking fentanyl from the Mexico border to Idaho. In total, over 48,000 fentanyl pills and four pounds of methamphetamine were seized.
The sentenced individuals and their respective penalties include:
- Austin Chad Lee received 140 months in prison.
- Arafat Ramirez was sentenced to 140 months.
- Brandon Aaron Dana received 120 months.
- Tina Jane Morris got 97 months.
- Sammy Davey Martinez received 78 months.
- Jamie Lee Coltrin was sentenced to 48 months.
- Jenika Ann Johnson also received 48 months.
- Daniel Ross Coltrin got 25 months.
- Rosa Ramirez received 24 months.
- Rachel Dixon was sentenced to 3 years’ probation.
- Laila Vanessa Ramirez-Martinez received two years’ probation for making a false statement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott attributed the operation's success to "the direct result of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies." He emphasized the priority of safeguarding Idahoans from dangerous drugs. Governor Brad Little acknowledged the collaborative efforts as part of Idaho's "Operation Esto Perpetua" initiative aimed at providing law enforcement with resources to enhance public safety. He stated, "Today's announcement about the conviction of 11 drug traffickers demonstrates what Idaho is doing is working."
DEA Special Agent in Charge, David F. Reames, highlighted the severity of dealing in fentanyl, emphasizing that the amount seized "had the potential to kill more than 46,000 people," which far exceeds the capacity of Boise State's football stadium.
The case was led by the Idaho State Police and the DEA, with support from several law enforcement bodies, including the Twin Falls, Minidoka, and Cassia County Sheriff’s Offices, and police departments from Pocatello, Nampa, and Garden City, as well as the Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Department of Correction.
This initiative is part of Operation Take Back America, which was launched during the Trump administration and focuses on eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations in the United States through a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven approach.
