Phone: 406-293-4112. An investigation by the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, FBI and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office has left a local woman behind bars facing federal drug charges. It also appeared that arrest patterns changed, possibly due to pressure applied by task forces. BILLINGS- Methamphetamine is the second most common illegal drug being distributed in large quantities into Montana, with marijuana being the first. Amendments to the Task Force pertaining to residency and to increase the number of members from 7 to 9 was adopted through Resolution 10407 on May 18, 2021. 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. This includes summons and complaints, subpoenas, writs of executions, child support, foreclosures, and many others. 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. According to his arrest report, Antonio Magnone, 35, of Weirton, West Virginia, was the former owner of Crowne Arcade, located at 8890 Lawrence Road. 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 . 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. Multijurisdictional drug task forces began in 1987, and significant changes occurred in the drug community between 1987 and 1992. 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. KALISPELL, Mont. During a search, our guys are looking for anomalies, things that are unusual, he said. The County Seat of Bozeman at large encompasses over 50,000 people, yet has a small town feel. . The EMHIDTA task force partners local/state investigators with federal investigators, allowing the task force to conduct investigations globally. Accessed 3 March, 2023. A viewer tipped us to an investigation involving a Flathead County sheriff's. 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. Still, Wooley believes you cant attack the problem from one side. families are empowered with information, support and guidance to get the help their loved one needs and deserves. Task forces secured a whopping 206,955 dosage units of the drug in 2022, up from 60,577 in . Additional information on task force operations is appended. The drug scene in Montana has significantly changed. 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. 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. For over two years, Wooley served as commander of the Eastern Montana High-Intensity Drug Task Force, or HIDTA, working undercover and in sometimes less than ideal conditions, to gain information that could dismantle and take down drug organizations coming into Montana. Still, the sheer quantities of the drug that have been seized by law enforcement remain staggering. Often times the investigator will contact the complainant to obtain as much information as possible. A locked padlock 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. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that can be deadly. Get Smart About DrugsGet Smart About Drugs is a DEA resource for parents, educators & caregivers. Throughout the year the detectives do public talks and community education presentations as requested on issues including thefts and robberies, identity theft and dangerous drug educational classes. kyx^xkquY, 68vwN\>\ Uq=:N9 Dssfb|ZmC~A7h Dq 2qEYUq` 6L\K0z^{+3"N3S6y ZFD6`}&,=6(#v Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( At a Billings towing yard, he points out what looks like an ordinary passenger car, except thats it not. 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 This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide updates as information becomes available. For added context, the state crime lab reported just four fentanyl overdose deaths in 2017. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. EJ@@ #@Ko;Ji P@%IAH$ 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. Responsibilities All fees must accompany papers before service. Since that time, the Task Force has worked to reduce the prevalence and consequences of prescription drug and opioid misuse. 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. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Established in 1995, the MNOA has subsequently grown in size to include over 100 members from throughout Montana. 1, Administration, Detectives, or Records: 406-758-7780, ext. 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. Arrest records were electronically extracted from the Illinois State Police Criminal History Record Information System. 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. Another man is under arrest on suspicion of murder and . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Sign up for Smart 911 Emergency Notifications. DEA. Lock The purpose of the Task Force is to conduct drug-related investigations thereby reducing illicit drug use and availablity in the region. 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. 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. PART ONE:Montanas Drug Superhighway: Troopers form specialized team to stop interstate drug loads. However, in some cases that go to prosecution, the complainant can be asked or subpoenaed to testify. 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. Now, drug overdoses are a leading cause of death for young Americans. Phone: 406-293-7781 In December 2000, R.W., an informant for the NWDTF, stated that he was an associate of BENAVIDES. 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. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces on 3 March, 2023. In Billings, drug seizures exceed any other city in Montana. "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. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Libby, MT 59923 A lock ( Great Falls Crime Task Force. 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. The task force is federally funded through grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Tragically, there were 74 fentanyl-linked deaths in 2022 according to Montana's state crime lab, 51 percent more than 2021's 49 deaths. Above-The-InfluenceEvery teens life is filled with pressure, some of it good, some of it bad. Patrick O'Leary and Toni Krause-Velasquez of Martin . "The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.". He says that trafficker has started to manufacture a combination of multiple switches only activated in sequence to trigger a drug compartment to open. Fees $50 for each party needing served. The man told the negotiators he had explosives and firearms that he would use if they entered his yard or residence. Above the Influence goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures, or influences. Box 1997Kalispell, MT 59901, Flathead County Childrens Advocacy Center. %%EOF 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. So you are getting high purities 98 percent, 99 percent pure meth, he said. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Just this year alone, to date, there are over 120 pounds of meth and over $600,000 in bulk cash seizures, said Wooley. A Montana Highway Patrol K9 and handler were deployed into the residence. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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). BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ. Sign up! 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. The surge in interdictions was mirrored in an increase of fentanyl overdose deaths in Montana between 2021 and 2022. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation led the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Free South Dakota Warrant Search. 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. These officers are assigned full time to the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. It comes by way of the interstate system and directly from Mexican drug cartels. Shawback was also a member. The investigators of CCSIU work with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force or EMHIDTA. Fax: 406-297-2767, Lincoln County Health Department Libby, MT 59923 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. Weve done search warrants in literally every neighborhood in this community. 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 Fresh numbers show a big year for the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force in 2022. The national HIDTA program is federally funded with the goal to identify, and disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations. 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 . 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 officers also had a felony extraditable arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man living at the residence. On the supply side, you have the manufacturing and then you have the distribution hubs. 180 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<1BDB5995F6E9494FA12F520EBB498918>]/Index[162 47]/Info 161 0 R/Length 94/Prev 352267/Root 163 0 R/Size 209/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream An official website of the United States government. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is charged with the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act as well as investigation of the highest level of domestic and international narcotics traffickers. Official websites use .gov 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. In 2014, the Kalispell-based task force took in nine pounds of. Burn Permit Application. These task forces are staffed by over 2,200 DEA special agents and over 2,500 state and local officers. 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. 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 Its supply and demand, said Wooley. o>h"6 hp# Also examined were arrest histories of those arrested by a MEG/TF. Just Think TwiceResearch shows that there is a definite link between teen substance abuse and how well you do in school. 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. Air Quality. The Eastern Montana Drug Task Force prioritizes cases involving drug endangered children above all other criminal investigations. 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. 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. Their website provides useful information, useful links to websites & videos, a forum for both kids and parents and more. 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. "State and Local Task Forces. Like Blaze News? Agencies currently represented on the EMHIDTA/CCSIU task force include: Q: How do I report suspected drug activity?A: You can report suspected drug activity in a couple different ways. 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. They specifically investigate drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in the Billings area. At approximately 10 AM on October 13, officers attempted to contact the suspect, but there was no response from inside the residence. As drug trafficking increased nationwide, DEA recognized the need for cooperation and coordination of drug enforcement efforts with their state and local counterparts. 66121 MT Hwy 37 Participating state and local task force officers are deputized to perform the same functions as DEA special agents. The national HIDTA program is federally funded with the goal to identify, and disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations. 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. Drug Task Force Lincoln County is a member of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. Drug Enforcement Agency on DEA website. QZB3cD0`lLy0059&hX$>Q^mt7*.2RogWWq}K*-lNS{7C{jVcXuM|Q?8I7_|TI:tYt\9:}JG$. If this vehicle was pulled over and there is a roadside search, if an officer is going through quickly, not taking his time, he would probably likely miss this, said Wooley. Q: Can I make a report about possible drug activity and not identify myself?Yes. DEA. Gallatin County, Montana311 West Main StreetBozeman, MT 59715Website Information, Website DisclaimerGovernment Websites by CivicPlus, Gallatin Solid Waste Mgmt. Drug FreePartnership For Drug Free Kids is where families find answers. Data are tabulated on task force arrests, drug removal, and asset seizure and forfeiture. 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. In 2022, the task force reported 25 percent more firearm seizures than in 2021, an increase from 375 to 474. Logan Shawback, who works with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. In 2016, the DEA State and Local Task Force Program managed 271 state and local task forces, which included Program Funded, Provisional, HIDTA, and Tactical Diversion Squads.