VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency Task Force covering the counties of Stutsman, Barnes, LaMoure, Eddy, and Foster. The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force is dedicated to the identification, investigation, and prosecution of the individuals involved in the use, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances.
The Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force is made up of four (4) sworn Law Enforcement Officers. Deputy John Hirchert, with the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, has been a member for eight (8) years, Officer Joe Gushwa, with the Jamestown Police Department, has been a member for one (1) year, Deputy Doug Muske, with the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, has been a member for sixteen (16) years and is stationed in Barnes County. Special Agent Troy Kelly has been supervising the Task Force for eleven (11) years. The officers are assigned to work certain areas, but the officers have been deputized in all five (5) of the counties that are part of the Task Force and must share the responsibility for all of the counties involved.
The Task Force had a total of 50 cases in 2023, which is down 10 cases from the previous. The Task Force initiated 42 cases and assisted other agencies with 8 cases. While looking at the stats and number of arrests, the number of cases being lower can be contributed to the complexity of the cases the Task Force has investigated and time taken to investigate those. Of the 42 initiated cases, the Task Force arrested 58 individuals for 129 offenses, and many still pending, related to drug related offenses such as Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
In 2023, the Task Force seized/purchased approximately 207 dosage units of fentanyl and counterfeit M30 pills which contain fentanyl, with an approximate street value of $8,280. Stopping the distribution of fentanyl continues to be one of the primary problems the Task Force is combating.
In 2023, the Task Force seized/purchased approximately 21 ounces of marijuana with an approximate street value of $7,350. This number is down from last year and does not include edible THC and liquid THC. Along with the 21 ounces of raw marijuana, the Task Force seized/purchased 379 grams/dosage units of concentrated THC, edible THC, and liquid THC. Due to concentrated THC being observed in multiple forms and dosages, ranging from vape cartridges, “wax”, gummies, lozenges, and other edibles, it is difficult to tally weights of these forms from milligrams, milliliters, and dosage units. During the year the Task Force investigated two (2) marijuana grows with five (5) total plants being seized. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), each marijuana plant is capable of producing one (1) pound of marijuana.
In 2023, the Task Force seized/purchased approximately 12 ounces of methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $33,600. This number is down from the amount seized/purchased last year. Although the amount seized is down from last year, methamphetamine sales/distribution continues to be one of the larger problems in the area.
In 2023, the Task Force seized/purchased approximately 273 dosage units of controlled prescription drugs, LSD, and MDMA, which is almost the same as last year.
In 2023, the Task Force seized/purchased approximately 52 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms which is more than the prior year.
In 2023, the Task Force seized nearly 27 grams of cocaine with an approximate street value of $2,700. Besides initiating/assisting on cases, Task Force continues to provide free teaching and training in the school systems, businesses, and special interest groups throughout the area covered by the Task Force. The Task Force also continues to maintain the prescription drug take back in the area and received over 91 pounds of prescription medication turned in by the communities.
In summary, in 2023 the Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force initiated/assisted 50 cases involving the seizure/purchase of marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA, psilocybin, fentanyl, cocaine, and prescription-controlled substances. The Task Force removed a substantial quantity of illegal narcotics, and distributors/manufacturers of those narcotics, from the streets and communities in Stutsman County, LaMoure County, Barnes County, Eddy County, and Foster County.
Several cases are still at the State Lab of Toxicology being analyzed. Actual weights would be higher. Several cases have yet to be forwarded for formal complaints. Actual arrests would be higher.
THIS REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE STUTSMAN COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE.