Montana’s battle against drug trafficking is seeing shifting trends, with fentanyl seizures declining while arrests and other drug seizures surge, according to new data from the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA).
Fentanyl Seizures Drop, but Long-Term Trend Remains High
In 2024, fentanyl seizures fell by 31% compared to the previous year. However, the numbers still reflect a 46% increase from 2022 and a staggering 354% increase from 2021, highlighting the ongoing challenge of controlling the lethal synthetic opioid.
Rise in Other Drug Seizures
While fentanyl seizures declined, meth, cocaine, and heroin seizures surged:
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Methamphetamine seizures jumped 37%, increasing from 211 pounds to 304 pounds.
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Cocaine seizures spiked 65%, climbing from 41.31 pounds to 68.04 pounds.
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Heroin seizures skyrocketed by a staggering 1,649%, indicating a growing problem with opioids beyond fentanyl.
Felony Drug Arrests See Sharp Increase
Montana law enforcement ramped up efforts in 2024, leading to a 36% rise in felony drug arrests:
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551 felony arrests were recorded, up from 406 in 2023.
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Arrests included individuals with ties to Mexican drug cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).
As Montana continues its fight against drug trafficking, authorities remain focused on disrupting cartel operations and reducing the flow of dangerous substances into the state.
