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Nationwide, the CDC has reported a 30 percent increase in drug overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020, a tragic statistic that increased another 15 percent between 2020 and 2021. Fax: 406-293-5640, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office The investigators of CCSIU work with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force or EMHIDTA. Arrest records were electronically extracted from the Illinois State Police Criminal History Record Information System. In December 2000, R.W., an informant for the NWDTF, stated that he was an associate of BENAVIDES. kyx^xkquY, 68vwN\>\ Uq=:N9 Dssfb|ZmC~A7h Dq 2qEYUq` 6L\K0z^{+3"N3S6y ZFD6`}&,=6(#v Located in a breathtaking Rocky Mountain setting, it is close to world-class downhill skiing, blue ribbon trout streams, Yellowstone National Park and a multitude of other outdoor activities in the pristine nearby wilderness areas. On the demand side, you have the addicts, the drive, the desire or the need for the drug. In the next part of this series, MTN takes an in-depth look at why so many people get addicted to meth in the first place, talking to a woman who for many years, was addicted to meth, who sheds light on the how controlling the drug is. However, in some cases that go to prosecution, the complainant can be asked or subpoenaed to testify. Butte Police negotiators established communication with the suspect in the residence. Fax: 406-297-2767, Lincoln County Health Department Q: Can I make a report about possible drug activity and not identify myself?Yes. hbbd```b``"A$0{=d,`C`)@)H2E& y nEc This was apparent in both cocaine- related arrests and cocaine removal statistics. This publication is based on information submitted by multijurisdictional drug task forces in Montana that received grant funds under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( They wanted to search the home for dangerous drugs, including fentanyl. . This cooperative effort between the DEA and local law enforcement agencies actually began in 1970, before the establishment of the DEA, with a pilot task force created in New York City by the former BNDD. In this same vehicle, a drug trafficker would press that yellow drivers side seat switch, followed by a variety of other knob turns or switches such as a heater gauge or windshield wiper to get the secret drug compartment to open. Today, hes moved on from that position and is able to speak candidly and openly about the drug scene in Billings. 66121 MT Hwy 37 Sale and distribution arrests decreased while misdemeanor arrests increased, indicating the goals to target street-level dealers and to increase pressure on users in order to reduce the demand for drugs were working. The difference between funded and provisional state and local task forces is that the financial support for funded task forces is provided by DEA headquarters and includes additional resources for state and local overtime. AG Knudsen noted that the actual number of fentanyl overdose deaths is higher, as the crime lab only accounts for deaths that result in autopsies. Because Montana had no historical data with which to compare current statistics, it was necessary to develop task force data over a period of time between 1987 and 1992 in order to do an evaluation. KALISPELL - Two people face federal charges after a seven-month drug trafficking investigation in Flathead County. Because Montana had no historical data with which to compare current statistics, it was necessary to develop task force data over a period of time between 1987 and 1992 in order to do an evaluation. Established in 1973, this anti-drug agency combined the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) and Customs drug agents to provide exclusive enforcement of federal drug laws. Sign up for Smart 911 Emergency Notifications. Above the Influence goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures, or influences. But those efforts can only do so much to protect Montanans as long as the Biden administration's lax policies continue to unleash havoc along the U.S. - Mexico border while turning all states into "border states" that now face an influx of drugs and crime. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Official websites use .gov RAPID CITY, S.D. Cuauhtemoc Cervantes Samaniego a 29-year-old Mexican citizen was arrested in Kalispell after members of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force (NWMDTF) seized approximately 12,000 fentanyl . The community needs to obviously have some more resources and we need to come at it at a few different angles.. Libby, MT 59923 Central to the integrated, research-based campaign is MethProject.orga definitive source for information about Meth for teenssupported by hard-hitting TV, radio, print, online, mobile, and social media campaigns that communicate the risks of Meth use. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. BILLINGS- Methamphetamine is the second most common illegal drug being distributed in large quantities into Montana, with marijuana being the first. Report a crime or to speak with an officer : 406-758-7780, ext. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The trio appeared in court on Jan. 30 and pleaded. In approximately September 2000, agents of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force (NWDTF), a drug task force operating in Lake and Flathead Counties, learned BENAVIDES was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine. They are also assigned to investigate crimes against persons which include: One detective is assigned to oversee the Sexual and Violent offender Registry for the City of Kalispell. The primary responsibility of the Detectives Division is to investigate and assist in the prosecution of felony cases including. Accessed 3 March, 2023. In Billings alone, violent meth-driven crimes have increased by 75 percent from 2010 to 2017, according to the Billings Police Department. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. District (GSWMD), Big Sky Meadow Trails, Recreation & Parks Special District, Gallatin Local Water Quality District Board, Historic Preservation Board of Gallatin County, Human Resource Development Council Board of Directors, Investment Advisory Committee of Gallatin County, Streamline Advisory Board (Subcommittee of HRDC Board), West Yellowstone / Hebgen Basin Refuse District, Prescription Drug Take-Back Program Q & A. These task forces are staffed by over 2,200 DEA special agents and over 2,500 state and local officers. The Missouri River Drug Task Force is a multi-agency task force that goes after major drug trafficking organizations in Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Park, Meagher, Madison, Broadwater, and Sweet Grass counties. The detectives also conduct background checks on applicants applying to be hired by the Kalispell Police Department and other city agencies as requested. Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task forces seized well over three times as much fentanyl in 2022 as in 2021, but the 2022 figure is up nearly 11,000% from the 2019 level, according to a press release from the Montana attorney general. Established in 1995, the MNOA has subsequently grown in size to include over 100 members from throughout Montana. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. endstream endobj 163 0 obj <>/Metadata 16 0 R/Pages 160 0 R/StructTreeRoot 26 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences 181 0 R>> endobj 164 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 160 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 165 0 obj <>stream Wooley revealed to MTN, the way traffickers do it, by creating closed-off compartments in an ordinary vehicle, as a way to hide drugs. During a search, our guys are looking for anomalies, things that are unusual, he said. Today's indictments are a result of an ongoing investigation of alleged illegal marijuana distribution in Montana being conducted by the following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies: the Drug Enforcement (DEA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, Criminal Investigation Division of the The K9 directed officers to the basement where the suspect was found dead inside a crawl space. The task force is federally funded through grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The man told the negotiators he had explosives and firearms that he would use if they entered his yard or residence. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. The Narcotics Task Force can be contacted by phone at 435-743-5302. Its supply and demand, said Wooley. Duluth Authorities Make 'Historic' Drug Bust. ", Knudsen has called for designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations during an interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, the Montana attorney general said that the cartels are "undermining our country" and "poisoning our citizens. 17 July, 2018. Drug addiction has also led to an increase in property crime, according to Flathead County Sheriff's Office Sgt. The Eastern Montana High-Intensity Drug Task Force. Officers of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force reportedly had information that large quantities of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, were being sold from the residence. This poison is killing Montanans," Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said, according to the press release. Multijurisdictional drug task forces began in 1987, and significant changes occurred in the drug community between 1987 and 1992. When the Anti-Drug Abuse Act made Federal money available to State and local drug task forces, one of the requirements for receiving funds was the submission of certain statistical data. "The amount of illicit fentanyl coming across the southern border has skyrocketed," Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. The Great Falls Crime Task Force was established through Resolution 10395 on April 6, 2021. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. Billings serves as the host agency for HIDTA ,but its a multi-jurisdictional task force composed of local officers from city, county and federal organizations such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Homeland Security. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. . And we advocate for greater understanding and more effective programs to treat the disease of addiction. Drug trafficking affects everyone in our community, directly or indirectly families, children, businesses, the court system, law enforcement, corrections, first responders, schools, hospital. Drug Free WorldThe Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Additional information on task force operations is appended. According to an official release, authorities seized 51 pounds of meth, over 12,000 doses of . Just Think TwiceResearch shows that there is a definite link between teen substance abuse and how well you do in school. The Eastern Montana Drug Task Force prioritizes cases involving drug endangered children above all other criminal investigations. For added context, the state crime lab reported just four fentanyl overdose deaths in 2017. On October 12 at approximately noon, officers attempted to serve a search warrant to the residence. The old way, was you go to WalMart and get everything you need, said Wooley. While still being the secondary drug of choice behind marijuana, cocaine appeared to have diminished considerably in popularity. Their website provides useful information, useful links to websites & videos, a forum for both kids and parents and more. Officers of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force reportedly had information that large quantities of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, were being sold from the residence on the 500 block of W Aluminum Street. Now, drug overdoses are a leading cause of death for young Americans. Knudsen has sued the Biden administration seeking to require the president to enforce the law and secure the southern border, but Biden and his cabinet continue to act as though the border is "secure" and under control. This includes patrolmen, detectives, administrators, corrections, state wildlife officers, state land officers, highway patrol, and federal agents from all branches. Responding to Outstanding Warrants. Throughout the afternoon and evening, negotiations continued, and the suspect was given the opportunity to leave the residence to surrender safely. The drugs were then hidden in the cavity of the car under the seats, extending from the dash all the way to the trunk, enough room to get several pounds of drugs hidden and transported for miles. The national HIDTA program is federally funded with the goal to identify, and disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations. The Eastern Montana High-Intensity Drug Task Force. During negotiations, the man allowed her to leave. In 2021, 60,577 dosage units were seized. Provisional task forces are supported by the operating budgets of DEA field division offices, without resources from DEA headquarters, and do not included state and local overtime. U. S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced on Wednesday that 37 people have been federally-indicted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces' Operation Say Uncle.OCDETF plays a key role in the Attorney General's strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics nationwide by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug traffickers, money launderers . In Montana, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced on Friday that anti-drug task forces in Big Sky Country have seen an almost 11,000 percent increase in the amount of fentanyl seizures. Date: 03-03-2023 Case Style: United States of America v. Dallas Michael Acoff, a/k/a "Dal" Case Number: 5:22-cr-00013 Judge: John Preston Bailey Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (Wheeling County) Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney's Office in Wheeling Defendant's Attorney: table> Click Here to Watch How To Find A Lawyer by Kent Morlan Tables and figures, Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). He's also added narcotics agents to the state DOJ, increased coordination between his office and local law enforcement agencies, and deployed more drug sniffing dogs around his state to aid in detection. Please contact the Sioux Falls Area Fugitive Task Force (605) 367-4614 or Crime Stoppers 367-7007 toll free 1-877-367-7007. Central Montana Drug Task Force officers and Leaf's parole officer confronted the former quarterback and found a container with 28 oxycodone pills inside and another container with a prescription . 1, Administration, Detectives, or Records: 406-758-7780, ext. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The purpose of the Task Force is to conduct drug-related investigations thereby reducing illicit drug use and availablity in the region. Montana communities are seeing the impacts of the drug trade first-hand, leaving local law enforcement left to deal with an increase in crimes associated with meth. Montana has four (4) major drug trafficking corridors: I-15 that runs north to the Canadian border and south to Idaho; I-90 that runs west to Idaho and east to Hardin, then south to Wyoming; I-94 that runs west to I-90 at Billings and east to North Dakota; and Highway 2 which runs west to Idaho and east to North Dakota along the northern tier of These task forces are staffed by over 2,200 DEA special agents and over 2,500 state and local officers. Sign up! Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. Residents are encouraged to be prepared for emergencies. At approximately 10 AM on October 13, officers attempted to contact the suspect, but there was no response from inside the residence. Screenshot taken from video on NewsNation YouTube channel. These officers are assigned full time to the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. Lincoln County Unite for YouthUnite for Youth is focused on a community-based approach to education and prevention of youth drug and alcohol abuse. On November 2, 2021, The Crime Task Force presented there findings . And Wooley says the drugs are not immune to any one area or a specific type of person, changing much about what the ordinary person believes to be true about meth. Hooker, 1608 Garland, three counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, accused of selling $1,100 worth of methamphetamine and marijuana to undercover officers at Montana and Galena. According to Heino, the group received more than $140,000 in federal grants for calendar year 2021 and another $160,000 from the Montana Board of Crime Control . hb```f``(2@q~)a`h\kPXJHA.e`uXd#3&/jLm~0g{:g3|n4d3XA& < Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol, the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Butte . Responsibilities Montana MethThe Montana Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time teen Meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot, the government stated it would have proved the following at trial: ICE HSI, the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Agency, and the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force began investigating a methamphetamine-trafficking organization in the Butte area in 2008. They specifically investigate drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in the Billings area. Dem Mayor Highlights the Importance of God: 'When We Took Prayers Out of East Palestine Residents Demand Norfolk Southern to Own Up to Their Mistake During FBI Whistleblower Claims Agency Used 'Threat Tag' to Focus On Pro-Lifers After Dobbs Biden's FAA Nominee Can't Answer a Single Question About Aviation, Kamala Harris's Husband Has a Message For All the Super-Progressive, Woke, Liberal Men Out There, Business Tycoon Criticizes Democrat-Run States: 'They Are Punishing People Who Are Successful', 'Stick That Up Their Fact-Checker': Sen. John Kennedy Shares More Trademark Truths, The Part of CNN's Interview With Bill Maher That Trump Supporters Probably Won't Like, Bill Maher Delivers Epic Dropkick to 'Trigger Warnings', Russell Brand was challenged to give examples of MSNBC pushing misinformation (that was a BAD idea). The Custer County Sheriff's Office has a Civil Enforcement Division that serves papers involved in any civil proceeding and some criminal actions. May 23, 2021 MACHIAS Five individuals are facing drug-related charges after the Southern Tier Drug Task Force assisted by the Cattaraugus County Patrol Division executed at search warrant at 3506. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In addition to pursuing drug traffickers, the MRDTF supports the Montana Meth Project and the DEAs Drug Take Back Day. Since the Montana Meth Project made headlines in the early 2000s, law enforcement has increasingly confiscated more drugs in the region. Man gets 11 years for trafficking meth . Then early Monday, three days after posting a $76,000 bond, he was arrested again on accusations that he broke into another home outside Great Falls, Central Montana Drug Task Force commander . On the supply side, you have the manufacturing and then you have the distribution hubs. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation led the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that can be deadly. The US Marshals Servicealso has a task force divisionin South Dakota that investigates and arrests state or federal fugitives with active warrants. The sheriff's department is part of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, which consists of partners in Lake and Lincoln counties, as well as law enforcement in Whitefish and Kalispell. The mission of the Missouri River Drug Task Force is to provide a collaborative federal, state and local law enforcement effort to identify, target, and address those involved in drug trafficking, manufacture, and/or violence. Weve done cases on people from all walks of life that have been former politicians, lawyers, doctors you name it, all the way down to somebody that hasnt graduated school, he said. Just this year alone, to date, there are over 120 pounds of meth and over $600,000 in bulk cash seizures, said Wooley. LockA locked padlock Wooley said law enforcement is seeing actual Mexican drug cartel presence in communities like Billings, because the distribution pipeline has shortened, cutting out a middle man and allowing for more profits for distributors. %%EOF The mission is to target, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and pursue street level interdiction through the cooperative effort of Local, State, and Federal Agencies.There are multiple resources available to the public that provide valuable information about the dangers of drugs.If you or someone you know is in need of help, please refer to the links below, or call the hotline below. Task forces secured a whopping 206,955 dosage units of the drug in 2022, up from 60,577 in . Lewis & Clark Public Health COVID-19 Hub. 1:27 ST. N ( This collaborative group, housed under the . Copyright Townhall.com/Salem Media. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration describes it as "a highly addictive man-made opioid," and says that two milligrams of it is considered a possibly lethal dose. Boards & Committees. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Like Blaze News? Participating state and local task force officers are deputized to perform the same functions as DEA special agents. But as the Eastern Montana Drug Task force makes progress in taking down drug operations, Wooley said law enforcement is still seeing an increase. This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide updates as information becomes available. Participating agencies include Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Montana Department of Justice, Gallatin County Sheriffs Office, Lewis & Clark County Sheriffs Office, Park County Sheriffs Office, Bozeman Police Department, Helena Police Department, and Montana State University Police Department. Libby, MT 59923 2023 Blaze Media LLC. BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ. An adult woman was also inside the residence. A standoff continued for more than a day before police entered the home Thursday evening and . Fresh numbers show a big year for the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force in 2022. In 2017, the drug task force kicked into high gear with over 56 pounds of meth and $300,000 in bulk cash seized off the streets. Monday, January 31st 2022 Sources confirm head of Northwest Drug Task Force under investigation MISSOULA, Mont. According to a media release from Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester, the standoff was sparked after officers attempted to serve a search warrant. We arent going to arrest our way out of the problem, but at the same time we have got to realize some of law enforcements limitations, he said. According to Dawson County Undersheriff Katie Mills, teamwork and participation with the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force ensures safety for our children and community. DEA. Libby, MT 59923 "Our narcotics agents and troopers are getting more fentanyl off the roads than ever before, but we need additional tools and resources to keep it out of our communities," Knudsen noted. DEA. Task forces secured a whopping 206,955 dosage units of the drug in 2022, up from 60,577 in 2021, and 1,900 in 2019 the figures from six task forces "are not all inclusive of drugs seized by all law enforcement in the state," according to the press release. Jason Ralph Eby, 46, pleaded not guilty to criminal endangerment and two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, all felonies, in Lincoln County District Court on July 19. An explosive charge was used to safely gain access to the residence and Butte SWAT conducted a search of the interior. However, along with that, comes the crime. The USAO is a member of the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force which, among other steps, has worked with its tribal representatives to ensure all missing tribal members are being looked for by including them in the state Missing Persons Clearinghouse. KALISPELL, Mont. The officers also had a felony extraditable arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man living at the residence. This cooperation provided several advantages to all participating agencies: DEA was able to draw on the expertise of state of local law enforcement; DEA could share resources with state and local officers, thereby increasing the investigative possibilities available to all; state and local officers could be deputized as federal drug agents, thus extending their jurisdiction; state and local participating agencies could receive an equitable share of forfeited drug proceeds; and DEA could pay overtime and investigative expenses for the state and local agencies. In Billings, drug seizures exceed any other city in Montana. Investigation of the drug trafficking organization began in September of 2013, when law enforcement agents with the FBI and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA . At a Billings towing yard, he points out what looks like an ordinary passenger car, except thats it not. This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://www.yc.news and its author. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces on 3 March, 2023. %PDF-1.7 % ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "The amount of illicit fentanyl coming across the southern border has skyrocketed. Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force (MJDTF) drug arrests on these corridors that have yielded large amounts of drugs, cash, and weapons. After an eight-month investigation, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force and Kalispell police arrested two people for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.. Officers of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force reportedly had information that large quantities of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, were being sold from the residence on the 500 block of W. According to his arrest report, Antonio Magnone, 35, of Weirton, West Virginia, was the former owner of Crowne Arcade, located at 8890 Lawrence Road. A lock ( Butte Police and Butte SWAT responded to the scene to assist in containing the situation. The drug scene in Montana has significantly changed. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our Privacy Policy. "The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.". A Montana man was sentenced Thursday to four years in federal prison following his guilty plea to growing marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter, District of Montana. Fax: 406-293-8577, North Lincoln County Annex By signing up to the Blaze News newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Blaze Media that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. "Drug Enforcement Agency, 17 July, 2018, https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces Accessed 3 March, 2023. The City/County Special Investigations Unit is comprised of detectives and patrol officers/deputies from both the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office. Most of our homicides are methamphetamine-related, the majority of our officer-involved shootings are methamphetamine related.. In 2017, the drug task force kicked into high gear with over 56 pounds of meth and $300,000 in bulk cash seized off the streets.