Feds target meth on rez with Operation Wildfire

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Representatives from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix will be working with law enforcement in Arizona for the next 60 days to address the growing methamphetamine problem in Indian Country.

U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton this week announced Arizona's involvement in the DEA-led "Operation Wildfire," the largest nationally coordinated law enforcement effort designed to target meth manufacturing and distribution.

Local law enforcement officials in five Arizona cities, including Phoenix, partnered with DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams to arrest 13 persons and seize 15 pounds of meth, five weapons and seven vehicles during six enforcement operations.

In a press conference Tuesday in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Justice, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and DEA Administrator Karen Tandy announced the streamlined efforts of federal, state, and local officials to execute the nationwide operation.

In an unprecedented law enforcement effort involving more than 200 U.S. cities, Operation Wildfire already has resulted in the arrest of 427 individuals and the seizure of 209 pounds of methamphetamine, 201,035 tablets of pseudoephedrine, 158 kilograms of pseudoephedrine powder, and 224,860 tablets of ephedrine over-the-counter ingredients generally found in "energy pills."

Fifty-six clandestine laboratories were seized in the nationwide sweep and 30 endangered children were removed from their meth environments. Officers also seized 28 vehicles and 123 weapons in connection with the 96 search warrants executed.

Arizona efforts
Earlier in the month, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies in Arizona met in Phoenix to discuss the use and sale of meth in Indian Country within Arizona.

The meeting was made up of law enforcement leaders from 14 of the 21 federally recognized tribes within the state as well as leaders from DEA, FBI, BIA and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Topics of discussion included investigative and prosecution strategies, as well as training and public education on the impact of meth use.

"While methamphetamine use and distribution is not unique to Indian Country, the use of methamphetamine within the Indian communities of Arizona has had a profound effect," U.S. Attorney Charlton said.

"A large percentage of the violent crimes prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office involve individuals under the influence of methamphetamine or other illegal substances.

"It is our sincere hope and belief that reducing the availability of methamphetamine within these communities will also bring a reduction in the number of violent crimes. It is a fight that we simply cannot afford to lose," Charlton said.

Dawn Wheeler, deputy chief of police for the Hualapai Nation said, "The methamphetamine problem is evident in Indian Country throughout North America. This joint effort between the tribes and federal law enforcement agencies is essential to the well-being of the culture and traditions of Native American tribes in Arizona."

Meth on the rez
This past February, the Navajo Nation Council voted unanimously, 64-0, to make the possession and usage of methamphetamine and other controlled substances illegal on Navajoland.

Public Safety Committee Chairperson Hope MacDonald-Lonetree, sponsor of the legislation, told delegates, "Meth, also known as 'G', is a new monster we are facing in contemporary times here on Navajo. Meth has become such a horrendous problem here on Navajo that it is crippling our Navajo families ... It almost doubles the violent crime."

Crimes attributable to meth use include sexual assault, homicide, burglary, armed robbery, and assault to law enforcement officers. FBI-Gallup estimates up to 40 percent of the FBI violent crime cases on Navajoland involve methamphetamine.

"Meth users on Navajo have been seen as young as 9 years old. The increased use and abuse is in gangs as well. You combine impoverished communities, lack of economic opportunities, unemployment and not enough police officers, and meth becomes twice as deadly than in other metropolitan areas," she said.

Limited resources, cuts in federal funding and the impending closure of Tuba City Detention Center make dealing with the issue more difficult.

Community surveys
Federal, state, and tribal law enforcement will be conducting a survey of Indian communities to determine the scope and nature of the meth problem and assess and address issues related to training and available law enforcement resources.

The surveys are to be completed within the next 60 days and will dictate training and enforcement operations, which are expected to follow shortly thereafter.

The Justice Department and DEA are committed to sweeping meth out of America's streets and homes. The fight against this highly addictive drug requires coordination at all levels.

Operation Wildfire and the efforts in Arizona Indian Country show the dedication of law enforcement officials to work cooperatively to overcome this grave threat to society, according to Charlton.

Public Outreach
In conjunction with this multi-jurisdictional meth enforcement effort, DEA has launched a new website as part of its efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of the drug. The anti-drug website, www.justthinktwice.com, gives teens and their parents straight facts about methamphetamine, and it's not a pretty picture.

The realities of meth's physical and emotional tolls are bluntly described and accompanied by photos that show before and after images of meth users. The photos graphically depict the ravages of meth on the user and make a strong statement about its consequences.

Community involvement among neighbors, parents, community leaders, schools, and businesses is also an essential component in this fight. Charlton said it is extremely important to educate young people about the irreversible harm to the body created by meth and resulting damage to the quality of life.