The Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team is investigating possible felony charges against two Hailey residents who were arrested last week on misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana.
Taken into custody at about 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, were Joshua P. Norton, 31, and April Ikeler-Belin, 21. The two were arrested after a search warrant was served at a residence at the Valley View Apartments in northern Hailey.
The Narcotics Enforcement Team, often referred to as NET, reported in a news release that Norton was arrested on suspicion of four misdemeanors, including possession of marijuana (less than 3 ounces), possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting and obstructing an officer and injury to a child. Ikeler-Belin faces misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and injury to a child. Both suspects were taken to the Blaine County Jail and have since been released on bond.
Two children at the residence, ages 2 and 4, were taken into custody by Child Protection Services of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The children remained in custody by Health and Welfare on Tuesday morning.
NET reported that investigation following the arrests led to the discovery of more than 9 ounces and a measuring scale at one of the suspects' grandmother's home. Steve Harkins, a Blaine County Sheriff's Detective and the director of NET, told the Idaho Mountain Express on Tuesday that the marijuana stash did not belong to the grandmother and that felony charges are pending against Norton and Ikeler-Belin.
"This was investigated because information was received that they were dealing large quantities of marijuana just a few yards away from Wood River Middle School," Harkins said.
