An investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin from California to the oil-producing region of North Dakota and Montana has resulted in charges against almost 30 people.
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Arrest warrants were issued last week, and several of the defendants had their initial court appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, court documents show.
While it didn’t involve any new funding, the strike force pooled 50 agents assigned to task forces in Bismarck, Dickinson, Minot and Williston – each with its own prosecutor – to target human traffickers, illegal drugs and weapons, white-collar criminals and other criminal enterprises that authorities say have become more sophisticated and violent in the Oil Patch.
“After only a few months we are seeing the efficiency, strength and extended reach provided by the strike force model”, Myers said.
U.S. attorney generals in North Dakota and California, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and Bakersfield police took part in the investigation.
In McKenzie County, North Dakota, one of the core areas of the Bakken, the median breakeven price is a little more than US$29 a barrel, Mr Foiles said. “It highlights the power of cooperation and teamwork”.
The defendants are charged with distributing over 500 grams of meth beginning in the fall of 2014.
An affidavit filed in the case refers to one of the defendants suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Minot hotel May 27.
It’s made up of state, local and federal officials.
The strike force was formed in response to growing pleas from residents in the two states for more help in dealing with crime in the region that’s seen an influx of tens of thousands of oilfield workers in recent years.
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There are also four Bakersfield men among the 22 defendants being prosecuted in North Dakota.
