162 0 obj <> endobj Phone: 406-293-7781 Today, hes moved on from that position and is able to speak candidly and openly about the drug scene in Billings. DEA. The old way, was you go to WalMart and get everything you need, said Wooley. Eureka, MT 59917 This poison is killing Montanans," Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said, according to the press release. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana Corrections (2) Montana Department of Corrections Montana Department of Probation/Parole Other (5) Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force Missoula County Drug Task Force Missouri River Drug Task Force Northwest Montana Drug Task Force Russell Country Drug Task Force Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. 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. Task forces secured a whopping 206,955 dosage units of the drug in 2022, up from 60,577 in . The first thing that kind of popped out in this situation was a trunk release switch underneath the seat padding, thats not normally there.. Since the Montana Meth Project made headlines in the early 2000s, law enforcement has increasingly confiscated more drugs in the region. 17 July, 2018. "The amount of illicit fentanyl coming across the southern border has skyrocketed," Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. Copyright Townhall.com/Salem Media. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Just this year alone, to date, there are over 120 pounds of meth and over $600,000 in bulk cash seizures, said Wooley. Wooley unveils a yellow button tucked under the drivers side seat. To: Interim Budget Committee Section D From: Steve Crawford, Narcotics Bureau Chief Date: December 6, 2021 Ref: Drug Task Force Funding Streams and Interagency Cooperation Overview During the Interim Budget Committee Section D meeting held on September 15, 2021, the members were briefed on current drug trends and criminal issues occurring in Montana. 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. Flathead woman faces federal drug trafficking charges 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. The detectives also conduct background checks on applicants applying to be hired by the Kalispell Police Department and other city agencies as requested. 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. The DUI Task Force members shall be appointed by the Lewis and Clark County Commission and will include representatives from a cross section of the community, such as, but not limited to, government officials, law enforcement, public health, school personnel, church, civic, and community groups, and citizens at large. In December 2000, R.W., an informant for the NWDTF, stated that he was an associate of BENAVIDES. 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. The Eastern Montana High-Intensity Drug Task Force. Agents were unable to enter the barricaded front entrance and heard gunshots from within the residence. However, along with that, comes the crime. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 . 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. 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. The trio appeared in court on Jan. 30 and pleaded. 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 since 2019, just before President Joe Biden took office. FBI Lincoln Benavides Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Fax: 406-293-5640, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office A locked padlock Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. This collaborative group, housed under the . 2023 Blaze Media LLC. Violent crimes across the state of Montana have increased 34 percent from 2010 to 2016, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. MNOA is an association that was formed for all levels and areas of law enforcement. In Montana, Attorney General Knudsen is working with and supporting state lawmakers as they seek to enact stiffer penalties for fentanyl traffickers, including mandatory minimums as one deterrent. ", Montana AG: 'I would absolutely advocate for cartels to be designated terrorist orgs' | CUOMOwww.youtube.com. It's no secret that the fentanyl crisis worsened and accelerated by the border crisis is claiming lives at a devastating rate. In neighborhoods that you would go and see a couple of million-dollar homes, and here we are executing search warrants related to drug trafficking in these neighborhoods, said Wooley. 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. Air Quality. Drug Unit (CCSIU/HIDTA) | City of Billings, MT - Official Website "The amount of illicit fentanyl coming across the southern border has skyrocketed. The investigators of CCSIU work with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force or EMHIDTA. Lewis and Clark County: Lewis and Clark County DUI Task Force Arrest records were electronically extracted from the Illinois State Police Criminal History Record Information System. But as the Eastern Montana Drug Task force makes progress in taking down drug operations, Wooley said law enforcement is still seeing an increase. Get Smart About DrugsGet Smart About Drugs is a DEA resource for parents, educators & caregivers. Man accused of suspicion of trafficking fentanyl in Kalispell 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. On October 12 at approximately noon, officers attempted to serve a search warrant to the residence. The call taker will create an incident report that is forwarded to the EMHIDTA task force commander.Second, you can make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 406-245-6660. Multijurisdictional drug task forces began in 1987, and significant changes occurred in the drug community between 1987 and 1992. For added context, the state crime lab reported just four fentanyl overdose deaths in 2017. 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. Report a crime or to speak with an officer : 406-758-7780, ext. DEA. All rights reserved. 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. Montanas law enforcement and specifically Billings police know they have their work cut out for them in terms of the meth epidemic. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. 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. Agents from the Dakota County Drug Task Force along with K9 Crystal executed a search warrant Jan. case was the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation led by the DEA's MinneapolisSt. d!hHA m P 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. Duluth Authorities Make 'Historic' Drug Bust. They wanted to search the home for dangerous drugs, including fentanyl. However, in some cases that go to prosecution, the complainant can be asked or subpoenaed to testify. 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. They specifically investigate drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in the Billings area. 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531, United States, PO Box 201408, 3075 North Montana Street, Helena, MT 59620-1408, United States. BUTTE Details about a standoff between a reported armed man and law enforcement in Uptown Butte were released Friday afternoon. First, you can call the non-emergency number to the Communications Center, 406-657-8200, and make a report. An explosive charge was used to safely gain access to the residence and Butte SWAT conducted a search of the interior. The County Seat of Bozeman at large encompasses over 50,000 people, yet has a small town feel. Drug Enforcement Agency on DEA website. Its something the city of Billings and law enforcement know all too well. 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 . Patrick O'Leary and Toni Krause-Velasquez of Martin . 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. This allowed a comparison of MEG/TF drug arrest outcomes to those of arrests made by local law enforcement in the same counties during the same time period. Located in a sweeping valley in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Gallatin County is the most populated and fastest growing county in scenic southwest Montana. And we advocate for greater understanding and more effective programs to treat the disease of addiction. Construction Projects. In 2021, 60,577 dosage units were seized. QZB3cD0`lLy0059&hX$>Q^mt7*.2RogWWq}K*-lNS{7C{jVcXuM|Q?8I7_|TI:tYt\9:}JG$. 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. Now, drug overdoses are a leading cause of death for young Americans. Matthew Manfred Priebe, 32, is charged with one felony count of possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of drug paraphernalia. Also examined were arrest histories of those arrested by a MEG/TF. The more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them, including the pressure to use drugs and alcohol. As drug trafficking increased nationwide, DEA recognized the need for cooperation and coordination of drug enforcement efforts with their state and local counterparts. 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. The community needs to obviously have some more resources and we need to come at it at a few different angles.. families are empowered with information, support and guidance to get the help their loved one needs and deserves. Tragically, there were 74 fentanyl-linked deaths in 2022 according to Montana's state crime lab, 51 percent more than 2021's 49 deaths. 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. 37 people indicted in large-scale meth trafficking network ", 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. 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. They are making it in super labs, said Lt. Brandon Wooley with the Billings Police Department. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( "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. The Custer County Sheriff's Office has a Civil Enforcement Division that serves papers involved in any civil proceeding and some criminal actions. https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces. Sheriff Brian Heino says that in the course of the investigation, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force seized 3.5 pounds of methamphetamine along with cars, guns and $7,000 cash. Responding to Outstanding Warrants. The task force is federally funded through grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Responsibilities Jy uGz->c&llP2dX'YWX1r"h~,e{ra\} ,.X4K|3Mw9YU-Ye2M7 =|`,jyw!bL"A:nQv +hB=p)_A:k~y_|/;l_^n4t$(`o. Fax: 406-297-2767, Lincoln County Health Department A Montana Highway Patrol K9 and handler were deployed into the residence. Detectives are the department liaisons for Driving Under the Influence Court, Adult Protection Team (APT) meetings, Child Protection Team (CPT), Flathead County Childrens Advocacy Center (CAC) and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Ryan Leaf arrested in Montana again; GPS implicates ex-NFL QB in crime Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that can be deadly. In 2016, the Northwest . PDF Montana's Statewide Five Year Strategic Plan Justice - MBCC Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person for the commission of a crime.All drug reports are reviewed by the EMHIDTA task force commander and then assigned to an investigator for follow-up. The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States.The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the attorney general, but serves as the enforcement arm of the United States federal courts to ensure the effective operation of the judiciary and integrity of the Constitution. 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. hbbd```b``"A$0{=d,`C`)@)H2E& y nEc 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. Montana's 545 miles of border with Canada is extremely porous. Wooley revealed to MTN, the way traffickers do it, by creating closed-off compartments in an ordinary vehicle, as a way to hide drugs. 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. Traffickers have gotten incredibly creative in finding new ways to avert law enforcement and drug-sniffing K-9s by retrofitting drug cars. Locally, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force has also seen a significant increase in the amount of methamphetamine they seize. The Detectives Division is comprised of one captain, one Senior Sergeant, three detectives, four School Resource Officers, one detective assigned to the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force and one Evidence Technician / Administrative Assistant (non-sworn). There, police assisted the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force in carrying out a search warrant on James Starcevich, 23. LockA locked padlock What's more, AG Knudsen said the amount of fentanyl seized in Montana in 2022 was three times what was seized in 2021 and instances where firearms are seized along with fentanyl shipments has also been increasing. Biden's First Official 2024 Primary Challenger Is a Meditating Hippy Who Preaches the Kamala Harris's Husband Has a Message For All the Super-Progressive, Woke, Liberal Men Business Tycoon Criticizes Democrat-Run States: 'They Are Punishing People Who Are Success Nancy Pelosi Criticizes Biden for Giving Republicans a Win Over DC Crime Bill, Biden Abruptly Walks Away After Refusing to Answer Questions on Covid Lab Leak. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PART ONE:Montanas Drug Superhighway: Troopers form specialized team to stop interstate drug loads. State and Local Task Forces. Of all the task forces, it has the largest budget this year, $756,000 . Above the Influence goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures, or influences. In addition to fentanyl seizures, the task force indicted more than 207 pounds of methamphetamine, 7 pounds of heroin, and 22 pounds of cocaine in 2022. In the early morning of October 13, Lewis and Clark SWAT arrived on the scene. 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 Drug Task Force - Lincolncounty Website kyx^xkquY, 68vwN\>\ Uq=:N9 Dssfb|ZmC~A7h Dq 2qEYUq` 6L\K0z^{+3"N3S6y ZFD6`}&,=6(#v 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. The investigators of CCSIU work with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force or EMHIDTA. A standoff continued for more than a day before police entered the home Thursday evening and . "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. And then you have more distribution at the local levels. Former meth users interviewed for state report It also appeared that arrest patterns changed, possibly due to pressure applied by task forces. Arrests In Arcade NyIf you know their whereabouts, contact the Erie Meth, Heroin Addiction Continues to Strain Community In 2022, the task force reported 25 percent more firearm seizures than in 2021, an increase from 375 to 474. Our geographical location, said Wooley. o>h"6 hp# KALISPELL - Two people face federal charges after a seven-month drug trafficking investigation in Flathead County. 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 . . More than 90 million Americans are bracing for severe - ussanews.com 2022 Blaze Media LLC. National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline1-800-662-(HELP) 4357TTY: 1-800-487-4889. Drug addiction has also led to an increase in property crime, according to Flathead County Sheriff's Office Sgt. 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. 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. This includes patrolmen, detectives, administrators, corrections, state wildlife officers, state land officers, highway patrol, and federal agents from all branches. Main Courthouse Phone: 406-293-4112. While investigators with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force had long had their eyes on Eby, a late night fight in a local trailer park led to his arrest. Butte police help make two drug busts over the weekend So you are getting high purities 98 percent, 99 percent pure meth, he said. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Glendive woman pleads guilty to distribution of drugs BILLINGS- Methamphetamine is the second most common illegal drug being distributed in large quantities into Montana, with marijuana being the first. Just Think TwiceResearch shows that there is a definite link between teen substance abuse and how well you do in school. According to Knudsen, the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) task force seized 206,955 dosage units of Fentanyl, roughly 10,800 percent more than in 2019 when the number of dosage units seized was 1,900. 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. Drug task force warrant sparked 30-hour Butte standoff In Billings alone, violent meth-driven crimes have increased by 75 percent from 2010 to 2017, according to the Billings Police Department. The Missoula Prescription Drug (Rx) Task Force was created in 2014 in response to growing concern about the rise in prescription drug misuse and overdose in Missoula County. The lethality of the drug, paired with its rapid spread around the country, means that countless millions of Americans have had their lives affected by fentanyl in some way.