Agents find heroin in train luggage

A 26-year-old Columbia Falls man faces a felony drug charge after he was allegedly caught bringing heroin to the Flathead on an Amtrak train.

Justin Cork faces from two to five years in prison and a fine up to $50,000 if convicted of felony possession of dangerous drugs. He also faces a charge of obstructing a peace officer. Cork pleaded not guilty to the drug charge on June 20, and bail was set at $40,000.

According to court records, Northwest Montana Drug Task Force agents tried to contact Cork at the Whitefish train depot “due to some suspicious travel behavior indicating the possible transport of drugs between Washington and Montana.”

When Cork saw the agents, he allegedly took off running in the opposite direction, disobeying orders to stop and dropping his backpack along the way.

Cork was apprehended after he hid under a porch at a nearby residence and allegedly admitted the backpack was his. A search warrant was obtained, and 36 grams of heroin was found in the backpack. Cork faced a felony drug possession charge in the past.