Overview

• A South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper stopped a speeding vehicle on Interstate 90 near Sturgis after a service dog alerted to possible narcotics, leading to the discovery of 207 pounds of crystal meth.
• The 42-year-old driver, identified as a non-citizen, was arrested and placed in immigration proceedings after being charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor related to narcotics.
• Federal and local agencies including the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Meade County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police Department are joint participants in the investigation.
• Rhoden said the operation validates Operation: Prairie Thunder, a campaign launched to support ICE through state enforcement under reactivated 287(g) agreements.
• The seizure represents roughly $12 million in street value and marks the largest single drug bust in the history of the South Dakota Highway Patrol.