MONTANA – The District Attorney’s Office of Montana announced multiple convictions in a significant meth trafficking ring on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations.
During a press conference, District Attorney Jesse Laslovich revealed that since April 2023, a collaborative effort involving the DEA, FBI, BIA, and local law enforcement has led to the conviction of 27 individuals from Montana and Washington. These convictions are related to drug trafficking and other firearms-related crimes.
Laslovich explained that the convicted individuals were part of a drug organization operating from the ‘Spear Siding’ property on the Crow Reservation. This organization had connections to suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel. The top dealers, siblings Wendell and co-defendant Federica Lefthand, along with their crew, were responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of meth and fentanyl pills into the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations.
“In a rural state like Montana, these arrests have had a profound impact. They have not only held people accountable, but they have saved lives. And there is no better calling than that,” said Laslovich. “The justice department is throwing everything we can at the cartels and we are determined to keep building on the momentum despite the success we mentioned today and despite the successes across the country, there is more work to be done.”
Laslovich emphasized that the arrests were made possible by the brave individuals who risked their lives to bring criminals to justice.
“There are so many resources being dedicated to combat this problem. Dedicated agents and selfless public servants risking their lives to hold people accountable — and it’s a source of pride for me, for the people standing up here with me, and for people in this office that their work has led to something. It’s led to people off the streets and in federal prison and will be there for a very long time and then we are on to the next one and hold them accountable to make sure they end up in the same place,” he stated.
Currently, two fugitives who ran the organization remain on the run. Those convicted will serve over 160 years in prison combined. Laslovich added that federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue their efforts to ensure the safety of all communities in Montana.
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