Counterfeiting may be linked to drug operation

Two men allegedly involved in counterfeiting bills circulating in the Kalispell area were arrested Wednesday, and they apparently are associates of three members of an Evergreen family arrested Tuesday on drug charges.

Jeremy Walbridge, 30, of Kalispell and Benjamin Kile, 20, of Columbia Falls were arrested by Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies and the Northwest Drug Task Force on charges of suspicion of counterfeiting and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Officers searched a vehicle Wednesday and found counterfeit $20, $50 and $100 bills, a printer and other items used in counterfeiting. It appears the suspects were washing the ink off legitimate bills, then printing a higher denomination on them.

Sheriff Mike Meehan said the break in the case was “the result of a lot of hard work by deputies and the Northwest Drug Task Force.”

Investigations into the counterfeiting have been ongoing for a few weeks.

Darrell and Virginia Burghduff and son Lyle Blackburn, who were arrested on felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs early Tuesday morning, could face counterfeiting charges as well, Meehan said. 

The Burghduffs and Blackburn were arrested following a search of their Evergreen home that found more than 800 illegally obtained prescription pain pills and other drug paraphernalia.

The investigation of the Evergreen family in turn led officers to the vehicle with the counterfeit money.

All suspects are in custody at the Flathead County Detention Center.