NOVEMBER 11, 2015
DEA executes warrants on Arizona Indian Reservation
'17 members of drug trafficking organization indicted'
PHOENIX – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman recently announced the execution of federal arrest warrants stemming from a federal grand jury indictment of a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation. Eleven subjects have been taken into custody and additional arrests are anticipated.
DEA Agents, along with law enforcement representatives comprising the La Paz County Narcotics Task Force, conducted the series of enforcement operations on Tuesday, following an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking activities, which led investigators to identify several female tribal members as both sources of supply and retail dealers. DEA Agents and LPCNTF Detectives were able to collect substantial evidence to secure federal charges against 17 traffickers.
“The DEA is committed to protecting Arizona tribal communities from the dangers of methamphetamine, which undoubtedly scars the person and the community it plagues,” said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in Arizona. “Drug traffickers who exploit the tribal community in which they live, to hide from law enforcement, will find no such refuge. DEA Agents, with our state, local, federal and tribal partners will pursue, target and bring those criminals to justice.”
Prosecution of this investigation will be handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. Enforcement investigation and operations were conducted by the following agencies: DEA, La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service, United States Border Patrol, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Colorado River Indian Tribe Police Department, and Parker Police Department.
