Beltrami County receives federal funding to combat drug trafficking

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced that Beltrami County has been designated a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), joining seven other Minnesota counties under the federal program that helps law enforcement combat drug trafficking.

According to a press release from Beltrami County, counties are designated as HIDTA if:

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

Over the past decade, Beltrami County has reportedly experienced a 12,500% increase in methamphetamine seizures and a 28,500% increase in opioid seizures. The county says the overdose rate is more than twice the state and national average.

The HIDTA designation will provide regional law enforcement with additional resources to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that allegedly prey on members of Beltrami County and surrounding areas.

Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Any Klobuchar also announced that Bemidji County would receive aid from the HIDTA program.