U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today that a six-month enforcement initiative targeting drug trafficking on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation has led to multiple indictments. The operation, spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in collaboration with federal, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, focused on methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council offices in Browning. Representatives from the DEA, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, and Bureau of Indian Affairs were present.
The enforcement action is part of the DEA's Operation Overdrive, which aims to combat rising drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths across American communities. This initiative identifies hot spots where criminal drug organizations are most active and allocates resources accordingly. The Blackfeet Reservation was identified as one such community.
"Our office is well aware that the scourge of methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking is devastating to Montana communities and disproportionally harming Indian Country, including the Blackfeet Nation," said U.S. Attorney Laslovich. "Focused enforcement actions like this operation not only get violent drug dealers off the street but also send a message that traffickers have no safe place on Montana’s Indian reservations."
DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen emphasized their commitment to addressing high drug cartel activity areas: "I send our sincere thanks to the Blackfeet Reservation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana, and commend our tribal, federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their hard work."
The initiative ran from May to October and resulted in 11 individuals being indicted on various federal drug crimes related primarily to methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as firearms offenses. Agencies assisting in this effort included Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI.