Police searching for alleged drug dealer

Hungry Horse News

Police are still looking for a Columbia Falls man who is wanted on two drug charges.

Michael Downing, 27, reportedly ran when officers tried to arrest him last month near Bigfork.

Downing has been charged in Flathead County District Court with criminal possession of drugs with intent to distribute and criminal manufacture of dangerous drugs, both felonies.

Members of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant at a home near Bigfork when, according to court documents, officers observed Downing holding two gallon size plastic bags containing what appeared to be cocaine.

Downing ran into the woods near the home and tore open the bags as he ran. Officers reportedly gathered a quarter-pound of cocaine from the ground and a search of the home turned up 4 1/2 pounds of the drug.

Manufacturing charges stem from a search by Task Force officers of Downing's West Glacier home in 2005.

Detectives searched the home after a report that a dim light had been coming from the house for a week. According to court documents, detectives found an active marijuana grow operation and about 20 marijuana plants.

Also several drug related items including a marijuana pipe and a wooden box screen used to separate harvested marijuana.

Downing was last seen in the Echo Lake area with Erin Gravelin, 25, who is also wanted on a probation violation. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 752-8477.