Wyoming Law Enforcement Leaders Unite to Combat Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) program, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office today to highlight their coordinated efforts to combat drug trafficking, reduce overdose deaths, and hold criminals responsible for distributing dangerous drugs. 

During a joint briefing, officials discussed the latest trends impacting Wyoming, including the continued threat posed by fentanyl and cartel-connected drug trafficking organizations. They emphasized that while overdose deaths have declined in recent years, fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing the nation, and law enforcement agencies continue to see increasing seizures of illicit fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics across the state.

Officials highlighted the collaborative work underway to identify and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Wyoming. Through intelligence sharing, joint investigations, highway interdiction efforts, and coordinated federal prosecutions, law enforcement agencies are disrupting the criminal networks responsible for distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin throughout the region.

The briefing also underscored the importance of partnerships between law enforcement and public health agencies to reduce substance abuse and prevent overdose deaths. Officials warned that counterfeit pills continue to claim lives across the country and urged the public to never take medication that was not prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a legitimate pharmacy.

“Protecting Wyoming communities requires a unified approach,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “By working together across all levels of government, we are disrupting criminal organizations, removing deadly drugs from our streets, and saving lives through prevention, enforcement, and accountability.”

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing our country, said Special Agent in Charge David Olesky with the DEA. “Nearly all the fentanyl in the United States comes from Mexico, and most of it is trafficked by the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. Interstates 25 and 70 remain transportation routes for cartel-led smuggling.”

The Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said, “We value our law enforcement partners. It takes all of us together to investigate these crimes and hold the offenders accountable. We have a zero-tolerance policy for drug offenses in Laramie County, resulting in 186 drug arrests made by our deputies so far this year.” 

Training Manager Jeremy Wicht from RMHIDTA stated, “The close working partnership between the state’s public safety and health agencies will continue to be integral in addressing the most dangerous drug trafficking endangering Wyoming communities.” 

This press conference was held to enforce Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.

DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative integrates enforcement with prevention and public awareness to address both the supply and demand side of the crisis. The integrated approach to Fentanyl Free America reflects how DEA is adapting to the current threat environment by combining operational pressure with prevention to achieve lasting results. Information and free resources are available on DEA.gov.