Emmer Secures Federal Resources for Law Enforcement to Target Illicit Drug Trafficking

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Office of National Drug Control Policy announced that Stearns County will receive additional federal resources for law enforcement to target illegal drug trafficking through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.

In March, Congressman Emmer sent a letter to Director of National Drug Control Policy, Shannon Kelly, urging her to include Stearns County in the HIDTA Program. The HIDTA Program assists federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working to address regional drug trafficking threats and reduce illegal drug production.

"After many conversations with law enforcement officials in Stearns County, there is a clear and immediate need for additional resources to combat the illegal drugs pouring into our communities. With this designation, Stearns County will be better equipped to save lives, reduce risks, and remove barriers to effective intervention. We are proud to have played a role in securing this designation and look forward to our continued collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure they have the resources they need to fight the drug epidemic impacting so many Minnesota communities," Congressman Emmer said.

"Unfortunately, Stearns County's location in Central Minnesota allows us to be a hub or distribution point for the trafficking of controlled substances. We have seen an increase in methamphetamine over the years along with a recent explosion of Fentanyl pills in our area. With that comes the trafficking throughout Minnesota but also the tragedy of overdoses. Sometimes fatally," Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka said. "Fortunately, this designation and program will open doors for us to better investigate and collaborate with other agencies to combat the drug problem and to hold those accountable who poison our communities with controlled substances," Soyka added.

As a regional hub located in Central Minnesota, Stearns County continues to be negatively impacted by drug abuse and trafficking. In 2023, Stearns County saw 131 non-fatal overdoses, and 23 fatal overdoses, including both a 14-year-old and 14-month-old who tragically died from an overdose of fentanyl.

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program supports law enforcement anti-drug trafficking efforts in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. In 2023, the HIDTA Program supported law enforcement in successfully disrupting more than 3,000 drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, removing more than $17 billion of illegal drugs from the market, and seizing more than $641 million from drug traffickers. The program also works closely with public health officials to reduce overdoses and substance abuse.

Congressman Emmer has been a steadfast advocate for Stearns County to receive a HIDTA designation, pushing the Office of National Drug Control Policy more than half a dozen times through letters and outreach throughout his time in office.

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Permalink: https://emmer.house.gov/2024/9/emmer-secures-federal-resources-for-law-enforcement-to-target-illicit-drug-trafficking