Law enforcement efforts in Montana have resulted in a decrease in fentanyl seizures and an increase in drug-related felony arrests, according to Attorney General Austin Knudsen. In 2024, authorities seized 275,091 dosage units of fentanyl compared to 398,632 units the previous year, marking a 31 percent decline. However, this figure still represents an increase of 46 percent from 2022 and a significant rise of 354 percent from 2021.
Methamphetamine seizures increased by 37 percent last year, rising from 211 pounds to 304 pounds. Cocaine seizures saw a jump of 65 percent from the previous year with quantities increasing from 41.31 pounds to 68.04 pounds. Heroin seizures experienced a substantial rise of 1,649 percent due to one major seizure, growing from .73 pounds to 12.77 pounds.
RMHIDTA task forces made progress with felony arrests as well; there were 551 felony arrests in contrast to the previous year's total of 406—a notable increase of about 36 percent. These arrests included members associated with prominent Mexican drug cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Of the drug trafficking organizations investigated last year by RMHIDTA, more than half were either significantly disrupted or dismantled.
Attorney General Knudsen oversees these operations through six RMHIDTA Montana task forces involving narcotics bureau agents and Montana Highway Patrol criminal interdiction teams. While these figures do not encompass all statewide law enforcement activities, they indicate broader trends.
"Fentanyl seizures appear to be declining in Montana and that’s welcomed news," stated Attorney General Knudsen. "However, it’s still a very serious problem and it’s taking the lives of Montanans across the state." He added confidence that local law enforcement will continue their efforts against illicit drugs while expressing hope for reduced fentanyl influx as federal border security measures improve.
Fentanyl-related deaths also declined in Montana during this period. The State Crime Lab preliminarily reported around fifty-five overdose deaths involving fentanyl compared to eighty such incidents recorded in the prior year.
In his ongoing fight against drug problems within the state, Attorney General Knudsen signed an agreement earlier this year allowing MHP troopers and Division of Criminal Investigation agents greater involvement in immigration enforcement within Montana's jurisdiction. Additionally, he supports Senate Bill 261 which proposes legal actions against adults found possessing dangerous drugs like fentanyl when children are present.