Minnesota's Seven Tribes Casino is helping law enforcement bust a drug ring
Seven Tribes Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn., recently helped law enforcement bust a major drug ring. The operation successfully infiltrated an illegal drug network that was operating illegal enterprises throughout northern Minnesota.
Seven Tribes Casino Thief River Falls is owned and operated by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. It is one of the tribe's three casinos. Indian Sovereignty Communities also operates Seven Tribes Casino Red Lake and Seven Tribes Casino War Road.
Thief River Falls Casino is located east of U.S. Highway 59 along Center Street. The casino has approximately 650 slot machines and four blackjack tables. A 151-room hotel and indoor water park complement the play areas.
Anti-Drug Operation
The Red Lake Police Department is responsible for enforcing tribal laws of the Red Lake Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The tribe's law enforcement agency said it maintains a sworn force of 38 officers and administrators.
Tribal police forces recently teamed up with federal law enforcement to infiltrate an alleged drug ring. The Red Lake Tribal Council of Indians said last week that a joint operation led to the arrest of suspected drug dealers after surveillance of them distributing drugs inside a casino and collecting cash from drug dealers.
"This operation demonstrates the Red Lake Nation's commitment to the health and safety of its employees and patrons, as well as the nation's goal of maintaining the well-being of the community," the Red Lake Tribal Council said in a statement. "The Red Lake Police Department works closely with casino management Work together to intercept large quantities of dangerous drugs before they reach our streets.”
Tribal leaders say the Red Lake Band recognizes the importance of proactively infiltrating criminal networks to prevent the illegal drugs they often distribute from reaching the streets.
“The Tribal Council has consistently advocated for a safe, drug-free environment on the reservation and its playgrounds,” the tribal statement continued. "The resounding success of this operation sends a clear message to those seeking to jeopardize the safety of Seven Tribes Casino and the greater community: illegal activity will not be tolerated and violators will be subject to swift punitive action."
Detail Light
Red Lake State did not provide information on the number of people arrested in the drug bust, nor did it describe the types of drugs seized. Additionally, law enforcement authorities do not publicly disclose the street value of seized drugs.
Some criminal enterprises target tribally owned sovereign lands for illegal activities because they believe such reservations are better suited to evading federal law enforcement. But while tribes retain some elements of autonomy under U.S. and state laws, Native American communities remain subject to most federal laws.
The FBI's mission is to investigate the most serious crimes against Indians, including murder, child sexual and physical abuse, violent assaults, public corruption, financial crimes, Indian gambling violations and drug trafficking. The FBI's law enforcement partners on Indian state matters include the Department of Justice, the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
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Source: www.casino.org
