Exploring the dark side of the Sturgis rally: Illegal drugs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Every year, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety provides updates on the Sturgis rally, including drug violations.

So far this year, there have been 75 felony drug arrests in the Rapid City and Sturgis area, compared to 68 at the same time last year.

First Alert Investigator Beth Warden shows who is selling and supplying drugs at the Sturgis rally.

On Monday, we told you of human and labor trafficking at large events, including the Sturgis rally. Now, we bring you the intersection of human trafficking and drugs.

At Call to Freedom, an organization that helps victims escape human trafficking, Rachel Shartz, director of grants, hears from those forced to sell more than their bodies.

“We know we’ve seen it with our clients. We hear anecdotally all the time about how absolutely human trafficking is interconnected with other crimes via drug trafficking, even down to possession of controlled substances,” said Shartz.

It’s called forced criminality.

“They will force their victims or survivors to engage in criminal activity on their behalf,” said Shartz.

Others are brought in to sell drugs during the rally, too.

In a conversation with a DEA agent covering South Dakota and surrounding states, she talked about two main drug cartels bringing the supply. Buyers and dealers hid behind their phones.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said, “Social media platforms and encrypted apps extend the cartels’ reach into every community in the United States and across nearly 50 countries worldwide.”

The South Dakota Highway Patrol had more drug arrests last year than the previous year and continues to watch for drug activity.

Spokesperson Brad Reinerts explained law enforcement operations are underway , which are undisclosed due to the sensitivity of the investigations.

If a state resident or visitor chooses to buy or sell drugs, the county presses charges but has support at the state level.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.