Beltrami County has officially been recognized as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). This designation, shared by only four other locations nationwide—including Stearns County, Minnesota—marks a significant step in addressing the rise of drug trafficking in the region.
Beltrami County has become a critical hub for the distribution of controlled substances across Minnesota, with local and state-wide trafficking on the rise. As part of the HIDTA program, Beltrami and Stearns Counties will gain access to federal intelligence analysts, receive specialized training for law enforcement officers, and unlock additional federal funding for operations aimed at tracking, investigating, and arresting those involved in drug distribution networks.
This federal support will enhance efforts to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and create safer communities across Minnesota.