The Narcotics Section of the Sioux Falls Police Department Detective Division is responsible for the investigation of cases involving the use, distribution, manufacture, and diversion of illegal drugs and controlled substances. This section also investigates reports of prostitution, gambling, arson, weapon and liquor violations, along with other vice activity. The burden of raiding and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories also falls upon this section. Most of these clandestine laboratories involve the manufacture of methamphetamine; however, some marijuana grow operations were also found and dismantled by the clan lab team. The number of full scale clandestine methamphetamine labs remained low but there is an increase in the “shake n bake” or “one pot” methamphetamine labs. Along with methamphetamine, marijuana continues to be the predominate drug of abuse in the Sioux Falls area. Our mission is to provide quality professional drug investigative services emphasizing cooperation, coordination, and education, thereby reducing the availability and demand for controlled substances. The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force is dedicated to making our city safer by working to remove illegal narcotics activity from our community.

The Narcotics Section is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, five Investigators, and a Technical Clerk. All of the sworn officers are deputized in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, as many narcotics investigations are multijurisdictional involving various communities in the greater Sioux Falls area. This group is further part of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. The mission of the Midwest HIDTA is to reduce drug availability in critical and identified markets by creating and supporting intelligence-driven enforcement task forces aimed at eliminating or reducing domestic drug trafficking and its harmful consequences through enhancing and helping to coordinate drug trafficking control efforts among federal, state, and local enforcement agencies. Central to this effort is the formation and enhancement of enforcement task forces. Participating agencies in the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force include:

• Sioux Falls Police Department
• Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office
• South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
• South Dakota Air National Guard (crime analyst)
• United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HIS)

Each year, the Executive Board of the Midwest HIDTA wishes to recognize a few of the many exemplary teams and individuals who have contributed to reducing drug trafficking in the Midwest HIDTA Region and in the United States. Midwest HIDTA Chairman’s award is designed to recognize an individual who has utilized the fundamental principles of the HIDTA Program to achieve outstanding investigative results or exhibited significant dedication or valor to achieve success. Detective Tommy Schmitz received the 2009 Midwest HIDTA Chairman’s award for his effort investigating the “Mickey Cobra” crack cocaine drug trafficking organization. All members of the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force received a Sioux Falls Police Department Chief’s Commendation for their efforts investigating the “Dario” drug trafficking organization.

The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force also works closely with law enforcement officers from the United States Postal Service, FBI, South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office. The Sioux Falls Police Department recognizes that law enforcement in and of themselves cannot combat this problem alone. Because of this, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force continues to work with many other non-law enforcement groups and organizations to help with the prevention, treatment, and enforcement associated with drug abuse in our community.

2010 Quick Facts:

• Number of narcotics cases investigated: 1,437
• Search warrants executed: 68
• Methamphetamine seized: 326.56 grams
• Cocaine (powder) seized: 873.69 grams
• Cocaine (crack) seized: 781.11 grams
• Marijuana seized: 60,157.2 grams
• Cash seized: $204,479