FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 24th, 2025
CONTACT: Jordan Robinson, Public Safety PIO 208-846-7360 or
[email protected]Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison Following Major 2023 Drug Seizure in Meridian
MERIDIAN, ID – In July 2024, 22-year-old Kale KLINE was sentenced to 15 years in the Idaho State Prison for Trafficking in Cocaine, following a major drug seizure that took place in Meridian in the summer of 2023.
On July 20, 2023, Meridian Police officers served a search warrant at an apartment near the 3000 block of E Copper Point Drive as part of an ongoing drug investigation. The search resulted in the seizure of trafficking quantities of multiple illegal drugs and the arrest of several individuals connected to the operation.
Seized Items Included:
•Over 900 grams of Cocaine
•Over 77 pounds of Psilocybin Mushrooms
•Over 2,750 units of Edible Psilocybin Mushrooms
•Over 6,625 units of THC Edibles
•Over 2,450 grams of Marijuana BHO Wax
•Over 70 grams of raw Marijuana
Many of the THC and psilocybin edibles were packaged to look like common candies and cereal brands, using bright, brand-consistent designs intended to appeal to younger individuals.
As Chief Tracy Basterrechea said following the 2023 arrest:
“Make no mistake about it, the packaging of these edibles is a very strong indicator this industry is targeting our children. This is why it is so important for parents to have proactive conversations with their kids early about the importance of staying drug free.”
Five individuals were taken into custody at the apartment, and KLINE — the tenant of the residence — was arrested by the Nampa Police Department the same day while distributing illegal products in Nampa. KLINE ultimately faced charges in both Canyon County and Ada County, with the most serious being Drug Trafficking in Cocaine (400 grams or more).
Protecting Youth Through Early Intervention:
The size and scope of this seizure — particularly the large quantity of drugs disguised as everyday snacks — reinforces the importance of early identification and investigation of drug activity. While seizures of this scale are not common in Meridian, they underscore the dangerous tactics used by drug traffickers to reach young people.
Meridian Police will be releasing images of the confiscated substances to help educate parents, educators, and the community on what to watch for. These photos demonstrate just how closely these illegal products mimic legitimate treats.
We remain committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable — our children. This case is a powerful reminder of why early intervention and community awareness are so critical.
Anyone with concerns about suspicious activity in their neighborhood is encouraged to contact the Meridian Police Department.
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The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement. The department has 151 police officers, and 46 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.
