Meth lab items close BF street

BONNERS FERRY — A downtown Bonners Ferry street was shut down Wednesday after a Moyie Springs couple transported portions of a methamphetamine manufacturing lab from their home to Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

Dave and Mary Kopas brought the materials to the sheriff’s office at 1 p.m. Wednesday 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 Kopases found on their property.

Amos Kopas and Woefel came to Boundary County from Wisconsin, where they are suspected of participating in the manufacturing of meth.

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

Bonners Ferry police, Boundary County Sheriff’s 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 Bonners Ferry 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.

Idaho State Police Det. Fred Swanson 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 advised individuals to contact their local police or sheriff’s office if they come across a suspected meth lab. 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, he said. The hazardous materials specialist remove and destroy the chemicals, according to Swanson.