The White Earth Tribal Police Department has made several arrests and seizures of narcotics these past six weeks.
In July, the White Earth Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began a narcotics investigation on the White Earth Reservation related to the distribution of heroin.
According to a release, a Waubun home was searched July 14 and found fentanyl, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Three were arrested for drug sales and possession crime, as well as a child endangerment charge.
Christina Jackson, 32, James Kier, 52, and Donald Baity, 66, face charges from this bust.
On July 21, a White Earth woman was arrested after a month-long investigation resulting in a third-degree narcotics sales charge.
Tonya Azure, 45, faces charges from this investigation.
On July 28, an Ogema home was searched and two were arrested for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and another child endangerment charge.
Kathy Heisler, 39, of White Earth, and Pete Thompson, 38, of White Earth, were both arrested in this case.
On Aug. 4, a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of two for second-degree drug possession, with the investigation continuing into Aug. 5 in Detroit Lakes, resulting in the arrest of four more.
Wayne “Jumbo” Quinn, 44, of White Earth; Teisha Bigeagle, 31, of White Earth, Elston Williamson, 41, of Maplewood; Timothy Thigpen, 35, of St. Paul; Loyalty McCurty, 36, of Minneapolis; Savanah Griffin, 23, of Minneapolis are all facing various narcotics sales and possession charges, as well as weapons offenses.
The multi-agency investigation removed 141.28 grams of methamphetamine, 38.05 grams of fentanyl, and 31 grams of heroin off the streets.
More arrests and seizures are expected soon.
The White Earth Police Department was assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Becker County Sheriff’s Office, Detroit Lakes Police Department, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Minnesota State Patrol.
