Idaho Falls man faces multiple drug-trafficking charges after police search home

IDAHO FALLS — A 62-year-old man was arrested after police say they found a large amount of drugs in his home after investigating him for trafficking.

Paul Wendell Bassett is charged with felonies for drug trafficking in methamphetamine or amphetamine, trafficking in fentanyl, drug trafficking in marijuana, possession of LSD, posession of a controlled substance, manufacturing, delivering or possessing a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture or deliver, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and misdemeanor use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, Idaho Falls Police detectives have been investigating Bassett for drug trafficking.

On Dec. 12, officers issued a search warrant for his home, car and detached garage.

During the search of a bedroom, officers allegedly found the following:

• 16.6 grams of white powder believed to be fentanyl
• 4.81 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms
• 3.13. ounces of a white crystallized substance “resembling methamphetamine”
• 5.4 ounces of THC concentrate
• 8 blotted papers “resembling LSD”
• 1.21. pounds of a “green leafy substance resembling marijuana”
• 12 blue circular pulls with M/30 stamped on them, that officers say they recognized as fentanyl
• 12 hydrocodone pills
• A black .38 Special revolver
• A .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol
• A homemade water pipe
• Multiple dirty syringes

Inside the garage, officers said they also found multiple vacuum-sealed bags with a “green leafy substance resembling marijuana.” The bags weighed 238.95 grams, 126.70 grams, 188.55 grams and 241 grams, respectively.

A sawed-off shotgun and a multi-colored semiautomatic pistol were also found in the garage.

According to police reports, Bassett pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance in Bingham County and is not able to possess or own a firearm because of it.

Bassett was then arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on a $150,000 bond. He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 27. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

Though Bassett has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

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