Montana Highway Patrol troopers conducted a multi-day interdiction operation in St. Regis earlier this month aimed at combating criminal activity and removing illicit drugs from the community.
The operation ran from Dec. 7 through Dec. 11 and involved MHP’s Criminal Interdiction Team (CIT) and Strategic Enforcement Traffic Team (SETT), working in partnership with the United States Border Patrol, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, and Air National Guard counterdrug aviation units.
Authorities said the coordinated effort resulted in the seizure of more than 14 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 14 pounds of cocaine, 4 grams of fentanyl powder, and 118 grams of marijuana. In total, 51 arrests were made during the operation, including 41 deportation arrests.
“I am proud of the outstanding work that our teams did during this operation to keep drugs and fugitives off our streets,” said Col. Kurt Sager of the Montana Highway Patrol. “By partnering with local agencies, we continue to keep Montana a safe place for all.”
U.S. Border Patrol officials emphasized the role of interagency coordination in the success of the effort.
“This operation demonstrates the power of collaboration,” said Jason Liebe, chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Spokane Sector. “By combining intelligence, aerial surveillance, and coordinated enforcement, we were able to disrupt criminal activity, recover missing juveniles, and strengthen public safety across western Montana.”
In addition to the St. Regis operation, members of MHP’s Criminal Interdiction Team also made three deportation arrests and seized more than 14 pounds of methamphetamine during enforcement activity in Billings during the same time period.
By Montana Newsroom staff
