Shakopee Police Department 2023 Annual Report

DRUG TASK FORCE

By Agent Andrew Erickson, SWMDTF

SW METRO DRUG TASK FORCE The mission of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) is to provide a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional effort to reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences and to provide effective drug awareness education through the coordination and resource sharing of its participating agencies The SWMDTF includes agents from the Scott, Carver, and McLeod County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Shakopee, Belle Plaine, Prior Lake, and Hutchinson police departments In 2023, the Minnesota National Guard provided the SWMDTF an in-house analyst who provides invaluable assistance to the task force The task force had another successful year in 2023: Among 133 investigations, officers seized a total of $1,122,367 worth of illegal drugs, more than $35,000 in cash forfeitures, one firearm forfeiture, and one vehicle forfeiture

There was an increase in seizures of marijuana, meth, fentanyl powder, and heroin in 2023 Marijuana saw the highest amount of drugs seized in 2023, with methamphetamines also making a significant surge Fentanyl powder is making its mark, with no recordings in 2022, but 433 grams recorded in 2023 Fentanyl continues to remain a major issue across the state, with an increase in the distribution and use of Fentanyl in a powder form, which is also what the task force encountered Fentanyl pill form is down in 2023 when compared to 2022 In 2023, agents executed 102 search warrants, including electronic search warrants, residential search warrants, and others This was a significant increase over 43 search warrants in 2022 The SWMDTF recorded 50 drug arrests in 2023 and 19 non-drug arrests The SWMDTF will continue its commitment to improving the quality of life in local communities by deterring and preventing the use, distribution, and manufacturing of narcotics

SWMDTF NARCOTICS SEIZED (IN GRAMS) 2022

2023

Heroin

0

26

Methamphetamines

37021

5722

Marijuana Fentanyl

11,4409

19,747

0

433 533

Cocaine

1,0277

Evidence pictured here includes illegal meth seized by police

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