Two arrested in local drug bust

Kalispell police officers on Wednesday arrested Kevin Gaethle and Nicole Chappel for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.

The arrests came after the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force received information over the past eight months that the two were operating a drug trafficking organization in and throughout Northwest Montana.

Between January and March 2019, the Kalispell Police Department contacted Gaethle and Chappel multiple times. During these contacts several search warrants were executed, resulting in approximately one-half ounce of heroin, over a quarter pound of methamphetamine and over $42,000 cash being seized.

Over the next several months, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force continued to receive information that Gaethle and Chappel were continuing their efforts of drug distribution in Northwest Montana. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 13-14, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force observed the couple engage in several drug-related activities and requested assistance from the Kalispell Police Department to stop the vehicle they were traveling in.

Gaethle and Chappel were taken into custody and transported to the Kalispell Police Department for further investigation. Methamphetamine and heroin were located on Gaethle and Chappel. Search warrants were executed on two vehicles, which resulted in additional quantities of methamphetamine and heroin being seized.