Shakopee Police Department 2020 Annual Report

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Drug Task Force

By Agent Mike Penning

It is the mission of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) to provide a comprehensive and 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 Scott, Carver, and McLeod counties, as well as a small portion of Hennepin County. The four main drug threats in our service area are cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. SWMDTF NARCOTICS SEIZED (IN GRAMS) 2018 2019 2020

In 2020, the task force recorded a considerable decrease in cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin seizures; however, seizures of marijuana saw an increase from 2019. Marijuana seizures rose this year despite the pandemic, showing just how prevalent and popular this drug continues to be. In one operation alone, agents seized more than 196 pounds of marijuana. The SWMDTF is doing its best to combat the sale of opioids

Heroin

539.74 2,665.28 1,801.21 19,230 99,167.34 8,002.94

Methamphetamines

Marijuana

80,622.98 87,913.5 97,236.5

Cocaine

232.78 3,288.64 775.4

in the metro area. The task force assisted in more than double the number of overdose death investigations than in 2019. Unfortunately, the task force is commonly seeing stronger opioids, such as fentanyl, being sold and used on the streets. In many cases, the fentanyl has been mixed into other types of heroin and has even been seen mixed with various types of amphetamines.

Although the seizure numbers were down, the number of search warrants executed and drug arrests made increased. There were 127 search warrants in 2020, up from 95 in 2019. In 2020, 86 people were arrested on drug charges, which increased from 69 people in 2019. It will continue to be the commitment of the SWMDTF beyond this pandemic to educate our communities to stem drug use, violent crimes and property crimes to keep our citizens safe and healthy, especially during troubling times when they need it the most.

Marijuana seized by the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force

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Drug Task Force