South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Department of Tribal Relations Secretary David Flute, Tribal Law Enforcement Liaison Algin Young, Senator Erin Tobin from Winner, Senator Mike Walsh from Pennington County, and Representative J.D. Wangsness from Miller were at the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday (May 16, 2024) to see the work being done by 20 South Dakota National Guard soldiers.
The group also received a briefing from Border Patrol and Texas Public Safety.
Noem says what is happening at our Southern Border “is an invasion, it’s a crisis, and it is a warzone.” She says we see “the detrimental effects of this wide-open border everyday in South Dakota.”
Noem also accompanied Border Patrol agents on horseback to inspect the Southern Border.
Additionally, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell say there is illegal drug and cartel activity in South Dakota.
“The vast majority of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl found in South Dakota originates from our southern border. The cartels are actively engaged in moving these illicit drugs across the southern border which then find their way into our South Dakota communities.
“We both appreciate how our respective state and federal law enforcement agencies are approaching drug interdiction and investigations through our strong joint drug task forces comprised of our tribal, local, state, and federal partners.
“Just one example of the excellent work our drug task forces are doing to dismantle cartel activity in South Dakota is “Operation Say Uncle,” which ultimately targeted two Sinaloan Cartel members — Luis Antonio Gonzalez-Meza and Javier Reyna. The investigation discovered that 80-100 pounds of methamphetamine were distributed throughout South Dakota and resulted in almost 50 federal and state indictments.”
Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.
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