Beltrami County designated as a “High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.”

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. Valley News Live ) – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recently announced the designation of Beltrami County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), joining seven other Minnesota counties in the federal program.

Established by Congress through the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, the HIDTA program provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas of the United States identified as critical regions for the Drug trafficking applies. To receive HIDTA designation, a county must submit an application demonstrating that it meets the following criteria.

• The area is a major center of illicit drug production, manufacturing, importation or distribution;

• State, local and tribal law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the region, demonstrating their commitment to respond aggressively to the problem.

• Drug-related activities in the region have significant harmful impacts on the region and other areas of the country. And

• A significant increase in federal funding is required to adequately respond to drug-related activities in the region.

City leaders say these criteria were easily proven by providing historical statistics from the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

Over the past decade, the region has seen a 12,500% increase in methamphetamine seizures and a 28,500% increase in opioid seizures such as heroin and fentanyl. Beltrami County's overdose rate is also more than twice the state and national average.

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Bemidji Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force have worked to receive a HIDTA award for the past several years. The designation will provide local law enforcement with additional resources to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that prey on members of Beltrami County and surrounding areas.

County leaders state, “As exciting as it is to receive this award, it is equally sad as it confirms the extreme drug problem our region has with illegal drug use and drug distribution.” We hope this designation will bring additional attention and resources to our area that provides enforcement, treatment and diversion.”

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