Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. They specifically investigate drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in the Billings area. Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. 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. The investigators of CCSIU work with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force or EMHIDTA. So you are getting high purities 98 percent, 99 percent pure meth, he said. Sale and distribution arrests decreased while misdemeanor arrests increased, indicating the goals to target street-level dealers and to increase pressure on users in order to reduce the demand for drugs were working. But as the Eastern Montana Drug Task force makes progress in taking down drug operations, Wooley said law enforcement is still seeing an increase. The best way to think of the drug problem and after my years over at the task force, it really is pretty simple and its based off of a business model. 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. "This poison is killing Montanans.". Like Blaze News? DEA. 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. For added context, the state crime lab reported just four fentanyl overdose deaths in 2017. In addition to pursuing drug traffickers, the MRDTF supports the Montana Meth Project and the DEAs Drug Take Back Day. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that can be deadly. The County Seat of Bozeman at large encompasses over 50,000 people, yet has a small town feel. Years ago, meth was manufactured in homes but state laws cracked down on homegrown labs and awareness about the drug was highly publicized with the Montana Meth Project. Responding to Outstanding Warrants. Established in 1995, the MNOA has subsequently grown in size to include over 100 members from throughout Montana. 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. 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. hb```f``(2@q~)a`h\kPXJHA.e`uXd#3&/jLm~0g{:g3|n4d3XA& < A viewer tipped us to an investigation involving a Flathead County sheriff's. It's no secret that the fentanyl crisis worsened and accelerated by the border crisis is claiming lives at a devastating rate. 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. "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. 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. 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. The man told the negotiators he had explosives and firearms that he would use if they entered his yard or residence. DEA. The purpose of the Task Force is to conduct drug-related investigations thereby reducing illicit drug use and availablity in the region. 1:27 ST. Central Montana Drug Task Force officers and Leaf's parole officer confronted the former quarterback and found a container with 28 oxycodone pills inside and another container with a prescription . Drug FreePartnership For Drug Free Kids is where families find answers. This collaborative group, housed under the . In approximately September 2000, agents of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force (NWDTF), a drug task force operating in Lake and Flathead Counties, learned BENAVIDES was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine. Burn Permit Application. Weve done search warrants in literally every neighborhood in this community. The first task force was comprised of investigators from major state and local regional agencies, primarily the New York City Police Department and the New York State, along with BNDD personnel. 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). Monday, January 31st 2022 Sources confirm head of Northwest Drug Task Force under investigation MISSOULA, Mont. The Eastern Montana High-Intensity Drug Task Force. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Multijurisdictional drug task forces began in 1987, and significant changes occurred in the drug community between 1987 and 1992. Task forces secured a whopping 206,955 dosage units of the drug in 2022, up from 60,577 in . KALISPELL - Two people face federal charges after a seven-month drug trafficking investigation in Flathead County. "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. Terms under which this service is provided to you. 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. 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. Often times the investigator will contact the complainant to obtain as much information as possible. Montana Meth Project Prescription Drug Take-Back Program Q & A Contact Info Phone: (406) 582-2110 Address: The first thing that kind of popped out in this situation was a trunk release switch underneath the seat padding, thats not normally there.. Phone: 406-283-2442 According to Sheriff Brian Heino, Shawback was demoted from running the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force and was put on administrative leave without pay for five days. During a search, our guys are looking for anomalies, things that are unusual, he said. 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. Free South Dakota Warrant Search. In 2016, the Northwest . 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. BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ. They wanted to search the home for dangerous drugs, including fentanyl. According to his arrest report, Antonio Magnone, 35, of Weirton, West Virginia, was the former owner of Crowne Arcade, located at 8890 Lawrence Road. A Montana Highway Patrol K9 and handler were deployed into the residence. Patrick O'Leary and Toni Krause-Velasquez of Martin . 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. 17 July, 2018. Townhall.com is the leading source for conservative news and political commentary and analysis. %PDF-1.7 % The task force is federally funded through grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Phone: 406-293-4112. Our geographical location, said Wooley. kyx^xkquY, 68vwN\>\ Uq=:N9 Dssfb|ZmC~A7h Dq 2qEYUq` 6L\K0z^{+3"N3S6y ZFD6`}&,=6(#v First, you can call the non-emergency number to the Communications Center, 406-657-8200, and make a report. The officers also had a felony extraditable arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man living at the residence. Q: If I make a report about drug activity, will my identity be protected?Members of the task force will make every effort possible to protect the identity of complainants and concerned citizens. And then you have more distribution at the local levels. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Montanas Drug Superhighway: Troopers form specialized team to stop interstate drug loads. Phone: 406-297-3139 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. 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 Enforcement Agency on DEA website. Provisional task forces are supported by the operating budgets of DEA field division offices, without resources from DEA headquarters, and do not included state and local overtime. 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. "As 2022 comes to an end, the Drug Enforcement Administration is announcing the seizure of over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year," the DEA noted in a December press release. 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. DEA. A lock ( The Missouri River Task Force, which includes Bozeman and Helena in a six-county region, could see the biggest dollar loss. These task forces are staffed by over 2,200 DEA special agents and over 2,500 state and local officers. This cooperative effort between the DEA and local law enforcement agencies actually began in 1970, before the establishment of the DEA, with a pilot task force created in New York City by the former BNDD. Fax: 406-293-8577, North Lincoln County Annex The surge in interdictions was mirrored in an increase of fentanyl overdose deaths in Montana between 2021 and 2022. 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. An adult woman was also inside the residence. Throughout the afternoon and evening, negotiations continued, and the suspect was given the opportunity to leave the residence to surrender safely. 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. EJ@@ #@Ko;Ji P@%IAH$ Most of our homicides are methamphetamine-related, the majority of our officer-involved shootings are methamphetamine related.. 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. . Dan James Nichols, 47, from Belgrade, Mont., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. 17 July, 2018. 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 And Wooley says the drugs are not immune to any one area or a specific type of person, changing much about what the ordinary person believes to be true about meth. 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 . Butte Police negotiators established communication with the suspect in the residence. 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 . Their mission is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle local, regional, and international DTO operations using Local, State, and . 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. 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. Since the Montana Meth Project made headlines in the early 2000s, law enforcement has increasingly confiscated more drugs in the region. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. 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. Report a crime or to speak with an officer : 406-758-7780, ext. Multijurisdictional drug task forces began in 1987, and significant changes occurred in the drug community between 1987 and 1992. This poison is killing Montanans," Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said, according to the press release. 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. By: John Emeigh Posted at 6:18 PM, Oct 14, 2022 Participating agencies include Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Montana Department of Justice, Gallatin County Sheriffs Office, Lewis & Clark County Sheriffs Office, Park County Sheriffs Office, Bozeman Police Department, Helena Police Department, and Montana State University Police Department. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. 418 Mineral Ave. Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force (MJDTF) drug arrests on these corridors that have yielded large amounts of drugs, cash, and weapons. You have the traffickers to get it to place, he said. An official website of the United States government. After an eight-month investigation, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force and Kalispell police arrested two people for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.. According to Dawson County Undersheriff Katie Mills, teamwork and participation with the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force ensures safety for our children and community. 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. 512 California Ave. Its something the city of Billings and law enforcement know all too well. 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 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). Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Billings has always had a pretty healthy appetite for meth.. Air Quality. 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 chemical compounds that they make and that they use south of the border are still very similar but maybe a little bit more sophisticated.. The surge in fentanyl seizures reported by the RMHIDTA task force doesn't even account for the total amount of the deadly drug that has been interdicted in Montana since 2019, just the drug seizures made by the state Department of Justice's narcotics bureau and Highway Patrol participants in the task force. Now, drug overdoses are a leading cause of death for young Americans. Get the facts about drugs and just think twice. 512 California Ave 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. In the early morning of October 13, Lewis and Clark SWAT arrived on the scene. d!hHA m P 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. 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. Butte Police and Butte SWAT responded to the scene to assist in containing the situation. Screenshot taken from video on NewsNation YouTube channel. Task force officers searched the vehicle and found meth, fentanyl pills, drug scales, plastic baggies, smoking devices, hypodermic needles and a 9mm handgun. In 2022, the task force reported 25 percent more firearm seizures than in 2021, an increase from 375 to 474. Wooley revealed to MTN, the way traffickers do it, by creating closed-off compartments in an ordinary vehicle, as a way to hide drugs. 2023 Blaze Media LLC. However, along with that, comes the crime. 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. He says that trafficker has started to manufacture a combination of multiple switches only activated in sequence to trigger a drug compartment to open. Logan Shawback, who works with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. Copyright Townhall.com/Salem Media. 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. It comes by way of the interstate system and directly from Mexican drug cartels. Montana has four (4) major drug trafficking corridors: I-15 that runs north to the Canadian border and south to Idaho; I-90 that runs west to Idaho and east to Hardin, then south to Wyoming; I-94 that runs west to I-90 at Billings and east to North Dakota; and Highway 2 which runs west to Idaho and east to North Dakota along the northern tier of "The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.". The national HIDTA program is federally funded with the goal to identify, and disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations. 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. 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. Still, Wooley believes you cant attack the problem from one side. Date: 03-03-2023 Case Style: United States of America v. Dallas Michael Acoff, a/k/a "Dal" Case Number: 5:22-cr-00013 Judge: John Preston Bailey Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (Wheeling County) Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney's Office in Wheeling Defendant's Attorney: table> Click Here to Watch How To Find A Lawyer by Kent Morlan "The amount of illicit fentanyl coming across the southern border has skyrocketed," Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. All Rights Reserved. Billings serves as the host agency for HIDTA ,but its a multi-jurisdictional task force composed of local officers from city, county and federal organizations such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Homeland Security. Lewis & Clark Public Health COVID-19 Hub. 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. The Great Falls Crime Task Force was established through Resolution 10395 on April 6, 2021. All rights reserved. Street DrugsRecognized for its emphasis on quality, the Streedrugs.org creates meaningful change in the world with products that are rated exceptional and recognized & accepted internationally. Lincoln County is a member of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. Their website provides useful information, useful links to websites & videos, a forum for both kids and parents and more. Locally, the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force has also seen a significant increase in the amount of methamphetamine they seize. DEA administrator Anne Milgram pointed to two drug cartels: "DEA's top operational priority is to defeat the two Mexican drug cartelsthe Sinaloa and Jalisco (CJNG) Cartelsthat are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today," she said, according to the DEA press release. Commission Meetings. "Drug Enforcement Agency, 17 July, 2018, https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces Accessed 3 March, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/operations/state-and-local-task-forces on 3 March, 2023. 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 Participating state and local task force officers are deputized to perform the same functions as DEA special agents. This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide updates as information becomes available. Agents were unable to enter the barricaded front entrance and heard gunshots from within the residence. At approximately 10 AM on October 13, officers attempted to contact the suspect, but there was no response from inside the residence. RAPID CITY, S.D. Libby, MT 59923 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. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death. Tables and figures, Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). 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. The EMHIDTA task force partners local/state investigators with federal investigators, allowing the task force to conduct investigations globally. 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. "Just this year alone, to date, there are over 120 pounds of. Lock Drug Task Force Lincoln County is a member of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. 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. 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. In 2022, the task force reported 25 percent more firearm seizures than in 2021, an increase from 375 to 474. Another man is under arrest on suspicion of murder and . 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. Today, hes moved on from that position and is able to speak candidly and openly about the drug scene in Billings. Please contact the Sioux Falls Area Fugitive Task Force (605) 367-4614 or Crime Stoppers 367-7007 toll free 1-877-367-7007. Now the supply comes directly from Mexico and drug cartels who see an increasing demand for meth in northern states like Montana. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. The K9 directed officers to the basement where the suspect was found dead inside a crawl space. PART ONE:Montanas Drug Superhighway: Troopers form specialized team to stop interstate drug loads. The national HIDTA program is federally funded with the goal to identify, and disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations. During the search, police located a handgun on Starcevich that was stolen. It also appeared that arrest patterns changed, possibly due to pressure applied by task forces. Task force officers are also learning that vehicles with aftermarket switches and compartments are also being used to cross the border into Mexico and come back up to Montana, likely several times. He's also added narcotics agents to the state DOJ, increased coordination between his office and local law enforcement agencies, and deployed more drug sniffing dogs around his state to aid in detection. Then early Monday, three days after posting a $76,000 bond, he was arrested again on accusations that he broke into another home outside Great Falls, Central Montana Drug Task Force commander . Jy uGz->c&llP2dX'YWX1r"h~,e{ra\} ,.X4K|3Mw9YU-Ye2M7 =|`,jyw!bL"A:nQv +hB=p)_A:k~y_|/;l_^n4t$(`o. Since that time, the Task Force has worked to reduce the prevalence and consequences of prescription drug and opioid misuse. Residents are encouraged to be prepared for emergencies. 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. According to an official release, authorities seized 51 pounds of meth, over 12,000 doses of . Weve done cases on people from all walks of life that have been former politicians, lawyers, doctors you name it, all the way down to somebody that hasnt graduated school, he said. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. BUTTE Details about a standoff between a reported armed man and law enforcement in Uptown Butte were released Friday afternoon. The old way, was you go to WalMart and get everything you need, said Wooley. The trio appeared in court on Jan. 30 and pleaded. In 2014, the Kalispell-based task force took in nine pounds of. Drug trafficking affects everyone in our community, directly or indirectly families, children, businesses, the court system, law enforcement, corrections, first responders, schools, hospital. Also examined were arrest histories of those arrested by a MEG/TF. 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.