Children removed from Polson homes during drug sweep

Multiple area law enforcement agencies converged on three Polson homes April 25 as part of a drug bust that netted 13 arrests and facilitated the removal of two children into state care.

Officials with the Polson Police Department said the homes were implicated in the use and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Although authorities recovered drugs, paraphernalia and firearms during the operation, the presence of children in the homes served as the catalyst, officials said in a press release.

“We are committed to drug endangered children, and to that end, residential search warrants were executed to safely remove these children from an atrocious environment,” Polson Police Capt. George Simpson said in a statement.

Authorities detained the adults on charges including criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal child endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. Owing to overcrowding, none were booked into the Lake County Jail, and $126,000 in bonds for outstanding arrest warrants were not served.

Polson Police did not identify the individuals charged.

“No names will be released at this time to protect the dignity of the children involved and to maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations,” according to the press release.

Flathead Tribal game wardens also are investigating potential violations related to decaying wildlife parts seized during the operation. At least two of the houses are in the residential area near O’Malley Park and Pomajevich Field in central Polson.

The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team, which includes members from the Polson Quick Reaction Force, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and the Whitefish Police Department assisted local police officers. The Kalispell Special Response Team, Two Bear Air, Flathead K-9 Foundation, Lake County Emergency Dispatch Center, Flathead Tribal Police and Tribal CPS also participated.

“This would not have been possible without the cooperation from our community, assistance from our northwest Montana law enforcement partners and investigation by you outstanding Polson officers,” Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said in a statement.

Nash noted that Wednesday, April 27 is Drug Endangered Children’s Awareness Day. Visit www.nationaldec.org to learn more.