Spirit Lake man arrested for drug trafficking

RATHDRUM – A Spirit Lake man was arrested on drug trafficking charges in Rathdrum on Friday.

Benjamin Barnhart, of Spirit Lake, and Sara Mallet, of Newport, Washington, were arrested following a traffic stop and investigation at the Highway 41 and Highway 53 interchange in Rathdrum, according to the Rathdrum Police Department.

The investigation uncovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and over $62,000 in cash suspected of being involved in the distribution of narcotics, RPD said.

Barhart, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested for the felony count of trafficking in methamphetamine and the misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use.

Mallet was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver along with outstanding felony fugitive warrants out of Washington.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit assisted RPD with the investigation.