The guns come out.". Two people were taken into custody and face federal charges. Morton County and North Dakota Highway Patrol officers arrested three men on Interstate 94 after finding more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine in their vehicle . Police do say that person is facing several felony charges. Federal prosecutors in Rapid City worked with law enforcement agencies all over the state to charge 37 defendants with drug-related offenses, according to a press release from the South Dakota U.S. Attorneys Office. Ronald Newhauser is. In a separate incident, police say they also busted a suspected drug ring operating out of the 900 and 1000 blocks of 18 th St. South. He celebrates the positive the wealth of good-paying jobs, the new businesses, the promise of oil riches for years to come that would be the envy of any community. With the problems becoming more pronounced, the feds are pouring in resources to bolster local police and drug task forces. He's reminded of it by a photo on his cell phone of a friend who'd come to the Bakken, attended his support group and recently lost his struggle with alcohol and drugs. A Ward County Narcotics Task Force Officer acknowledged under oath in January that law enforcement has profiled young men who are arriving in Minot from the Detroit area on the Amtrak train because. Copyright 2020 KVLY. The defendants are from all over, including North Carolina, Colorado, California, South Dakota, and several places in Mexico. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers two milligrams of fentanyl to be a potentially lethal dose for someone who has not built up a tolerance to the drug. The 21 defendants received combined sentences totaling 218 years in federal prison. Across North Dakota, DEA agents intercepted 1,541 fake pills in the fiscal . "It runs the gamut from high-end cartels to street dealers. April 27, 2023. Though fentanyl (a synthetic opioid) has been prevalent in North Dakota for a number of years now, Grand Forks County States Attorney Haley Wamstad said it has become much more accessible.. A 25-year-old Minot man has been arrested in the case. /* wpb super gallery : gallery-public */ It continues even though most oil companies conduct drug tests, both for hiring, and later, randomly. Jeffrey Jim Butler, also known as Pops, identified by the feds as The Family's recruiter, had an assault and drug record. Thats more than the states 101 traffic deaths in 2021. ROLLA, ND (iNewZ.TV) Six people are facing charges, after a search warrant was executed near Rolla, North Dakota. Crime, North Dakota News Mandan Woman Accused in Large Drug Bust to Face Trial in May Isaak faces six felony drug charges for possession with intent to deliver January 28, 2020 MANDAN,. County jails overflow on weekend nights. (North Dakota Century code 23-01-42) . Wrigley alleges evidence can show transportation of tens of thousands of oxycodone pills, worth around $2.5 million into North Dakota alone. LOW: LOW 30S. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office has also charged Travis Maho, Alex Nimmor, Duane Apple, Keith Laframboise, Orlyn Anderson, Tabitha Range, Chris Luke, Zack Franzen and Christopher Tomac in connection with this investigation. "We have a formidable opponent," says Mike Cotter, U.S. attorney in Montana. The Bismark Tribune reported that the state recorded 118 drug-related deaths in 2020 a 49% jump from the previous year, according to the Division of Vital . In addition, approximately $425,000 in drug proceeds and assets were seized during a two year period. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. North Dakota Offenses include Drug/Narcotics Violations, Drug Equipment Violations, Driving Under the Influence, Liquor Law Violations and all offenses where the offender used alcohol or drugs. In Watford City about 30 miles away there were just 41 calls in 2006. Miles Scherer was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of THC, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. We will find these drug traffickers and put them in federal prison. All rights reserved. MINOT, N.D. A drug task force says it's taken more than 5,000 fentanyl pills off the streets in the largest seizure of its type in the Minot area. These days, the drug trade looks a lot different. Sav Kelly joined the Grand Forks Herald in August 2022. You can cancel at any time. Snitch List: Snitches, Rats, and Informants. I knew their parents, their kids, their grandparents, their next-door neighbors. According to court documents, Liverman and Keever had . Opioid users often purchase fentanyl pills believing it is heroin or oxycodone, police said, adding that fentanyl can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin. The task force includes officers from the Minot Police Department, Ward County Sheriff's Department, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Border Patrol. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. He's serving a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Authorities say a gram of meth that might sell for $120 in big cities can cost $200 in Williston. According to a press release, the series of events that led to the large drug bust was set off with a pair of traffic stops on June 21. Prosecutors say they are members of a Williston-based drug ring who called themselves "The Family" which federal prosecutors say distributed methamphetamine in northwestern North Dakota. They dont need needles or, you know, anything like that, Wamstad said. Officials at local law enforcement agencies throughout the region say a marked increase in population from the oil boom is stretching their resources. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Copyright 2020 KFYR. "This complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation involved hundreds of man hours and had organizational . FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) - Outgoing U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Drew Wrigley announces key arrests in a major drug trafficking investigation . Morning headlines: It's Spring Cleanup in the F-M area; find out what that means for you, NDSU Western Equestrian Team rides into nationals after almost losing their program, 5 things to know today: Lunch funding, Adviser removed, Minnesota marijuana, Minimum sentences, War bonnet, McFeely: Looking for a hot take? The market value of fentanyl in Grand Forks, though not as high as on reservations, is significant compared to large metropolitan areas. In addition, approximately $425,000 in drug proceeds and assets were seized during a two year period. Research has shown that access to naloxone does not increase drug use. Authorities say several "Family" members had abducted and planned to kill one of their own, seeking to enforce their code of silence out of fear he'd spill the group's secrets. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Moorhead man accused of driving drunk, hitting pedestrian charged in court, North Dakota man accused of running over, killing teen after political argument faces less serious charge, Pentagon emails show National Guard preparing for mission hours before Minneapolis' Third Precinct burned, Arrest made in suspected Minneapolis mosque arsons, North Dakota man tried to pawn Native American war bonnet with golden eagle feathers, court docs allege, North Dakota Gov. I call it the drug of death, Hager said. Theyre just taking a chance, whether they know it or not, said Hager. Legal Statement. Federal officials including U.S. senators from North Dakota and Montana who met in the Bakken last summer to discuss drugs have focused new attention on the area. "The knives come out. (In Ward County, about two hours away, meth seizures jumped from $63,200 in 2012 to $404,600 last year, according to the sheriff's office.). The bust comes as APD struggles to address rising crime after the Austin City Council in 2020 defunded it by over $150 million. However, the drug is commonly manufactured into a pill that resembles M30s (oxycodone). Epidemiological Profiles: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Consumption and Consequences in North Dakota, State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW), Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs in North Dakota, North Dakota Alcohol and Crime Underage Youth, Substance Use and Mental Illness in North Dakota Adults, Adult Binge Drinking: a Culture of Drinking and Driving, Prescription Drug Abuse Is a Growing Problem, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prevention research has illustrated the importance of using data to guide efforts in making a positive change. Big money is raining down in small towns. Leader of Multi-State Drug Trafficking Group Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Heroin April 7, 2023 Read More Press Release Beckley Woman. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Arrests made in ND drug pipeline. Suspect in Mercer County drug bust upgraded to federal charges, Details released in vehicle-pedestrian collision in downtown Bismarck, Man arrested following high-speed chase from near Williston to Montana, City of Minot accepts energy conservation grant for streetlights, Human relations ordinance prompts discussion at Minot City Council, 94-year-old Korean War veteran sees US Navy Memorial for first time, Closed Caption Inquiries - (701) 255-5757. Like many oil patch towns, drugs are part of a larger crime wave that includes more thefts, bar fights and domestic violence. According to the affidavit, deputies found more than 6 pounds of meth, 104 grams of heroin and $50,000 in cash during a search of him and the car he was driving. Published: Nov. 13, 2020 at 11:56 AM PST BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - A man accused of fleeing police and having more than six pounds of meth has been indicted on federal charges. There were even multiple federal and state agencies outside of South Dakota that helped in the investigation. Fentanyl is a powder and can be injected intravenously. Last fall, the feds and state officials in both states launched "Project Safe Bakken," a collaborative effort to pursue criminal networks, including drug dealers. Drugs are not new here. It was called Operation Say Uncle with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. Opioids and amphetamines were the most common drugs in 2021 overdose deaths, according to a Highway Patrol news release. Larry Owens was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 15, by members of the Ward County Narcotics Task Force who executed a search warrant on his home, according to a news release from the Minot Police Department. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine), ADVANCE FOR USE SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014 AND THEREAFTER - A shopper walks next to a Walmart store on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 in Williston, N.D. near a sign advertising a $17 hourly wage for new employees - a rate higher than in many cities. A significant contributor to fentanyls increasing presence in North Dakota is the substantial amount of money to be made by selling drugs in smaller communities. He helped start a twice-weekly support group of recovering substance abusers and stays out of bars. It's more potent and is generally being found in larger quantities. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. According to Solberg, the absence of quality control in the manufacture of counterfeit M30s results in vastly different fentanyl doses per pill. Some of that aid will be used by the North Dakota attorney general's office to add a prosecutor who will specialize in drug cases, working in both state and federal courts. During that search, officers found an additional 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine, a half-pound of marijuana and several pieces of drug paraphernalia, Sheriff Kaiser added. The Ward County Narcotics Task Force says the fentanyl has a street value of $350,000. Tanker trucks rumble down the roads day and night. SE #7 in Jamestown. U.S. Attorney Marc Krickbaum of the Southern District of Iowa indicated that on January 14, the last defendants of the conspiracy were indicted. The pills make ingesting fentanyl much easier. And it was cap. Prosecutors say 24-year-old Megan Isaak sold more than half a ton of marijuana between March 2018 and April 2019. Federal prosecutions in the western half of North Dakota nearly tripled from 126 in 2009 to 336 last year mostly, he says, because of drug cases involving several people. NDSU's Grant Nelson will get drafted, North Dakota Gov. Thousands flocked here, most law-abiding Americans in search of good-paying jobs. The NDHP has been organizing opioid roundtable discussions in response to the increase of drug overdose deaths. JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) - The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force conducted two large drug busts over two days in Jamestown. In Montana, an ounce that might have sold for $800 in 2008 now goes for about $2,400-$2800. We see that you have javascript disabled. There's nothing less at stake here than our way of life.". Of the overdose deaths Hager has seen in recent years, all of them, pretty much, are fentanyl-related.. The 2021 total of overdose deaths is up from 76 in . Local sheriffs no longer know every name and face when they stroll down Main Street. DEA officials say the bust is tied to one case investigated as part of their One Pill Can Kill initiative. The seven men in the 2012 abduction-drug conspiracy had all come to Williston within two years before their arrests. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Meth use rose as pandemic hit Montana, other states, urine tests showed, California man sentenced for what feds call Wyoming's "largest drug bust", Feds link man stopped with 50 lbs of drugs in Wyoming to California trafficker, California man sentenced to prison after mailing meth in piata to Montana, Feds charge man accused of holding gun to North Dakota officer's face, Man in gorilla suit, armed with machete arrested in Fargo, 26 charged in Detroit-North Dakota reservations opioid bust, Jon Tester Floor Remarks on Confirmation of Anthony Johnstone to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Instagram mom convicted for fabricating story about kids' kidnapping, King Charles and Queen Camilla's will use thrones recycled from King George VI's coronation, Rare images captured of butterflies taking flight after emerging from chrysalis. Officers also seized approximately $93,000 in U.S. currency during the searches. BEULAH, N.D. (Valley News Live) - A police chase led to a massive drug bust in North Dakota, netting multiple pounds of meth and thousands in cash. Recently, fentanyl has also been found laced into marijuana. Drug agents make large fentanyl seizure in North Dakota. The cartel members also traded meth for about 150 guns, some of which made their way to Mexico, according to authorities. North Dakota Substance Abuse Data Prevention research has illustrated the importance of using data to guide efforts in making a positive change. In 2011: almost 4,000. GRAND FORKS, N.D. There were 131 drug overdose deaths in North Dakota last year. The oil boom in the Bakken shale fields has touched off an explosion of growth and wealth on this remote wind-swept prairie. On Tuesday, a search was conducted at 502 13th St. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota recorded the most deaths from drug use in a decade last year as the pandemic caused isolation and fentanyl became widely available. Burgum signs bills to aid pregnant women in wake of abortion ruling, Port: Nearly 15% of North Dakota's House was absent for the last vote of the session, NDSU Western Equestrian Team rides into nationals after almost losing their program, North Dakota farmer partners with tech company for sustainable beef, fertilizer, The toothless smile: How Cody Mauch lost his 2 front teeth, Supporters of the Fargo Public Library show support at Read-In, 'Capital investment to flow' with corporate farm law change, North Dakota Gov. That chase happened on Sept. 30 when the suspect didnt pull over for having a taillight out. Joni Scherer was arrested and charged with Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of THC, possession of Psilocybin, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Before the boom, he says, "I pretty much knew most of the defendants. The 2021 total of overdose deaths is up from 76 in 2019 and approximately 116 in 2020. A major concern with counterfeit M30 pills is users inability to determine the quantity of fentanyl in any pill they come across. Heroin is more visible, something that "scares me," says Busching, who adds that he'd probably rate the drug problem in his county a 7 on a scale of 10. When the cause of someones death is undetermined, judges may sign warrants for drug tests, blood tests and other related searches. Now there's no time for that. Oil rigs light up the night sky. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The result: Seven guilty pleas. Agents seized more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine, 50,000 fentanyl pills and 10 kilograms of heroin estimated at more than $2 million. GRAND FORKS, N.D. There were 131 drug overdose deaths in North Dakota last year. ND's SEOW has built a broad representation of diverse partners and continues to provide leadership in identifying data needs. Deputies located Newhauser in a field where they found two knives, $35,000 in cash, three bags of meth and two glass pipes. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. In their statement about the arrest, police added that "many overdoses and deaths that have occurred in the Minot area are linked directly to fentanyl.". Joni Scherer was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of THC, possession of Psilocybin, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. But when I came to realization that it's never, ever going to be that way (I thought) Well, let's stick around and see if we can make it the best place possible.". All rights reserved. The Community Readiness Model is an evidence-based method for assessing the level of readiness of a community to develop and implement prevention programming. In addition to the drugs, agents seized three assault rifles, multiple stolen handguns and a stolen U.S. Marine Corps firearm suppressor within Des Moines city limits. Doug Burgum says, McFeely: Looking for a hot take? drugs, cash seized in Jamestown drug busts JAMESTOWN, ND (KFGO News Dakota) - The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force conducted two large drug busts over the past two days in Jamestown. The South Dakota Attorney General's Office charged nine people with state offenses that allege they worked with each other to bring pounds of meth into Western South Dakota in 2019 and 2020.. The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the North Dakota Bureau of investigation, Stutsman County Sheriffs Office, North Dakota Parole and Probation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. RAPID CITY, S.D. He wound up, instead, in a North Dakota hospital, telling the FBI his story. Another summed up the situation this way: "More drugs than we have ever dealt with. North Dakota's U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says it's a step in the right direction. He's awaiting sentencing. Nelson estimates more than half his cases involve newcomers. National. Operation Despacito began in April 2017, as investigators tracked the Iowa-based distribution cell known for methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine trafficking. Johnsen knows there's another kind of danger. These North Dakota Data Booklets tell the story of substance use and behavioral health in the state. That's more than the state's 101 traffic deaths in 2021. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine). "Those drugs were passing through a lot of different hands before they ended up on the street. Charges In North Dakota Drug Trafficking Sting iNewZ TV 20K subscribers Subscribe 6.5K views 9 months ago DEVILS LAKE, ND (iNewZ.TV) Drug trafficking charges have now been filed against 7. All rights reserved. Ronald Newhauser is charged federally with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. He'd been heavy into meth and crack back home in the Chicago suburbs and decided to start over, moving to North Dakota. The oil boom with its gusher of dollars was already under way more than three years ago when Tim Purdon was sworn in as chief federal prosecutor for western North Dakota. MINOT, N.D. A 25-year-old Minot man is facing Class A felony charges after law officers said they seized 5,000 fentanyl pills valued at $350,000 from his residence. Busching who notes this area is in its third oil boom compares the transformation of the Bakken to a home renovation: messy, chaotic at times. Busching concedes it took time for him to accept the dramatic changes but he came around. Traffickers routed illegal drugs to Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and North Carolina. Market data provided by Factset. WILLISTON, N.D. The blood-drenched man had survived a brutal attack: Beaten with brass knuckles, shocked with a stun gun, slashed with a razor blade, then dumped 40 miles away in Montana, he staggered to a farmhouse for help. Substance Use in North Dakota PowerPoint 2019. "I wanted my old town back, my old country back," he says. They called themselves "The Family," the feds say, and were holed up in a few campers tucked behind an innocent-looking, white-frame house. In Detroit, DEA agents say one opioid pill sells for $5-$8 wholesale. Every day, Sheriff Scott Busching a self-described "die-hard, old-school cop" faces the ever-changing landscape that is the Bakken: More serious traffic accidents. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the primary federal funder for state-level substance abuse prevention infrastructures. The group is accused of trafficking heroin, crack, cocaine, marijuana and painkillers in the Dickinson area, about 100 miles from Williston. Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser reports that on Monday, December 7th, a search was conducted at 1010 Western Park Village in Jamestown. The three men arrested were listed as being between the ages of 22 to 42. So far, 34 people have been arrested and most are pending trial. TONIGHT: CLEAR, WIND DIMINISHING. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Officers also seized approximately $93,000 in cash during the searches. Prison sentences of up to 20 years. As the population skyrocketed, Purdon noticed a seemingly inevitable consequence: more people, more crime. In another big drug bust, a 24-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., man who was jailed back home on murder, assault and gang charges was among 22 people indicted in January in "Operation Pipe Cleaner." The Kingpin Act denies significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their related businesses and their operatives, access to the U.S. financial system, and all trade and transactions involving U.S. companies and individuals. BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Law enforcement says they seized thousands of illegal pills and thousands in cash in two drug busts. Keven Restrepo, 32, formerly of Kissimmee, FL, was arrested in September 2021, as the result. Recent arrivals come and go from "man camps" rows of identical, barrack-like dorms sitting on empty fields. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) (The Associated Press), ADVANCE FOR USE SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014 AND THEREAFTER - A shopper walks next to a Walmart store on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 in Williston, N.D. near a sign advertising a $17 hourly wage for new employees - a rate higher than in many cities. or redistributed. And hard-core criminals are bringing drugs in from other states, sometimes concealing them in ingenious ways: liquid meth in windshield wiper reservoirs. (AP Photo/Williams County, N.D. Sheriff's Office), ADVANCE FOR USE SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014 AND THEREAFTER - An officer guides a handcuffed man into a police car in Williston, N.D. on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. (KOTA) - U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced 37 people were federally indicted as part of a large-scale meth trafficking network. Pills seized in Minot's biggest fentanyl bust worth $350,000, police say . A North Dakota State University study released last year, called "Policing the Patch," found the number of police calls for service in Williston had quadrupled from 2005 to 2011 to nearly 16,000. The Bakken Formation tens of thousands of square miles of oil-bearing shale under the long, flat prairies of western North Dakota, eastern Montana and part of Canada was touted as a modern-day Gold Rush. And a county jail filled to capacity. Local police chiefs deal with the tragic results. Copyright 2021 KOTA. Share with friends KX Net Two Bakersfield residents are in custody after North Dakota police found nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine, two loaded handguns and a large amount of cash during a traffic stop. Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin, they said. You have permission to edit this article. "I was still under the mindset of 'work hard, party hard,'" Johnsen says. April 21, 2023 1:05 PM ET. But the bonanza suddenly flourishing here has also brought with it a dark side: a growing trade in meth, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, the shadow of sinister cartels and newfound violence. And Williams County home to Williston was recently designated a high-intensity drug trafficking area, paving the way for more federal dollars. Information obtained from cooperating sources and co-conspirators contributed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control process for sanctions on three Mexico-based, Sinaloa Cartel Kingpins in accordance with the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.