A predawn law enforcement operation stretched across western Wyoming and eastern Idaho on Tuesday, as federal, state and local investigators executed coordinated search warrants in what authorities describe as a drug trafficking investigation.
By the time the raids were over, investigators said they had seized large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and other evidence tied to drug distribution.
One man now faces five felony drug charges and a child endangering count.
But beyond those basics, much of the investigation details have not been released.
Authorities have declined to answer questions about exactly where the raids took place, how much narcotics were seized, how long the investigation had been underway, or whether more arrests are expected.
Three Communities Targeted
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that deputies, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal, state and local agencies carried out simultaneous search warrants Tuesday in Etna, Jackson Hole and Victor, Idaho.
Officials have not identified the addresses where the warrants were served, including the Etna location.
The coordinated nature of the operation — spanning three communities in two states — suggests investigators could've been targeting an interconnected investigation.
The sheriff's office described the seizures only as "large amounts" of methamphetamine and cocaine, "along with other evidence related to drug trafficking."
Officials have not released the quantities of drugs recovered.
Charges Filed
The only person publicly identified so far is 42-year-old Julio Jaimes Angeles.
He has been charged in Lincoln County with:
- Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
- Possession with intent to deliver cocaine.
- Felony possession of methamphetamine.
- Felony possession of cocaine.
- Child endangering.
Tight-Lipped Investigation
Despite the unusually broad operation, investigators are saying little about what led to Tuesday's raids.
Cowboy State Daily sought additional information from both the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Neither agency returned a comment beyond the written news release, citing the ongoing investigation.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
