Bassett charged with possession, intent to distribute

A 27-year-old Libby man faces drug possession and intent to distribute charges after authorities found hydrocodone pills and a kilo of dab marijuana in his vehicle during a Nov. 9 traffic stop.

Dakota Michael Bassett pleaded not guilty to the charges in Lincoln County District Court on Nov. 25. His bail, originally set at $100,000, was lowered to $50,000.

Authorities stopped Bassett on U.S. Highway 2 near the weigh station in Troy after Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy Ben Fisher saw his pickup allegedly turn onto the roadway without coming to a complete stop, court documents said. Det. Brandon Holzer and Border Patrol Agent Dave Grainger were also on scene.

Holzer approached the passenger first. As the window rolled down, Holzer could smell a strong odor of “raw marijuana.” In his affidavit, Holzer described the passenger, already known to law enforcement from previous drug busts, as having shaking hands.

During the conversation, Holzer saw a “green, leafy substance” on Bassett’s seat and later a whippet gun and cartridges. Bassett told him he had a medical marijuana license, according to court documents.

A K9 accompanying Grainger immediately detected narcotics, Holzer wrote.

According to the affidavit, Holzer knew from sources that Bassett “is a marijuana supplier not only medically but also on the black market.” Holzer wrote that sheriff’s office personnel had previously bought marijuana from Bassett using an informant without a medical marijuana card.

Bassett allegedly told law enforcement that he was coming from Spokane with growing equipment. A friend had shut down his grow operation, he told officers, according to the affidavit.

Holzer replied that the growing equipment was legal, but possessing more than an ounce of marijuana was not, according to court documents.

Holzer wrote that Bassett repeatedly tried to show him the grow equipment, but not a flipped over, black tub.

After eventually consenting to a search, he “in an excited utterance stated he had three hydrocodone pills in the glove box without a prescription.”

Hydrocodone is a combination medicine containing opioids and acetaminophen, a pain-reliever.

As a result, authorities detained Bassett and seized the truck. After receiving a search warrant, law enforcement found six pounds of marijuana buds in the black bin, a container of marijuana, the three pills and a kilo of dab marijuana.

Also known as honey marijuana and butane hash oil, the golden substance is known for boasting increased THC content. It is mainly consumed with a pipe, bong or vaporizer.

Holzer wrote that during an interview, Bassett asked for legal representation, but spoke so freely that deputies reminded him repeatedly of his Miranda warning.

Bassett wanted it known, Holzer recalled, that the execution of a search warrant at his residence had “put him behind because we had taken so much of his plants,” according to the affidavit.

Bassett is due back in court Jan. 27 for an omnibus hearing.