Woman gets prison for drug smuggling

COEUR d’ALENE — A California woman who was arrested in North Idaho while helping to smuggle hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs into Canada received a prison sentence this week.

Dahlia Miller, 39, of San Diego, pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Chief District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Miller on Thursday to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release following completion of prison time.

In October 2020, U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted Miller’s vehicle in a remote area of North Idaho near the U.S.-Canadian border. Agents from both countries responded to the area, according to court records.

When U.S. Border Patrol arrived at the site, they reportedly found two men standing near bags containing 227 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine.

The two men — later identified as Lawrence E. Dwyer and Jason C. Arkinstall, both of British Columbia — reportedly fled into Canada, leaving the bags behind.

U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Miller in her vehicle leaving the area, while Royal Canadian Mountain Police located and arrested Dwyer and Arkinstall. Both men were prosecuted in Canada for involvement in the incident.

Miller traveled from the Seattle area with the bags containing methamphetamine and cocaine and dropped them off at the border, where they were to be packed across into Canada.

Miller was indicted in federal court in the District of Idaho for her role in the offense.

Josh Hurwit, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, said in a news release that he credits the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.