Montana

Major Drug Bust in Montana: Pounds of Drugs, Illicit Money, and 39 Arrests

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2025

Major Drug Bust in Montana: Pounds of Drugs, Illicit Money, and 39 Arrests

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On October 16, 2025, at around 11:05 AM, the Montana Department of Justice announced that the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) had a successful interdiction operation. According to Col. Kurt Sager, MHP troopers conducted an interdiction operation in Butte from October 7-14 to combat crime and remove illicit drugs from the community.

During the operation, troopers worked alongside United States Border Patrol and Air National Guard Counterdrug aviation, seizing nearly 25 grams of fentanyl powder, 11 pounds of methamphetamine, 260 pounds of marijuana, over $75,000 of illicit money, and made 39 arrests.

“Montana is no place for illegal activity. I am proud of the work that our troopers do day in and day out to get drugs and criminals off our streets to keep our communities safe,” said Sager. “We couldn’t do it without the help of our partner agencies.”

Additionally, last weekend, MHP’s Strategic Enforcement Traffic Team (SETT) was in Missoula to crack down on drunk and drugged drivers. During that operation, troopers made 260 traffic stops, made 39 arrests, issued 63 speeding violations, and issued 26 seatbelt tickets.

On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, less than two months ago, Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned Montanans of the dangers of illicit fentanyl.

“So far this year, fentanyl seizures in Montana are down, and that’s great news,” Knudsen said. “However, we can’t get complacent. Still, too many Montanans are dying of fentanyl overdoses. I will continue to do everything I can at the Montana Department of Justice, working with local and federal law enforcement, to get this poison off the streets and hold drug traffickers accountable.”

READ MORE: Decline In Fentanyl Seizures: What It Means For Montana

Knudsen encouraged every Montanan to join them in their effort to combat the fentanyl crisis.

“Educate yourself and your friends and family on the dangers of fentanyl and never take a pill that isn’t prescribed to you,” Knudsen said.

Most valuable crops grown in Montana

Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops produced in Montana using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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Montana

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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