Over a three-year period state, local and federal investigators worked together to investigate the trafficking of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl into western and central Nebraska. It culminated on January 23, 2024 with a large-scale take down operation involving 150 officers from 20 different law enforcement agencies. The code name for the investigation was “Let it Ride”. It resulted in the federal indictment of 36 subjects and an additional 22 subjects on state and local charges.
Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Omaha field office Eugene Kowel said the investigation revealed that drug trafficking from this operation had subjects operating in numerous states from Nebraska, Colorado, California, Kansas and Missouri with the source of supply of the drugs originating in Mexico. The drugs came to the area by vehicles and mail.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation from the regional CODE task force, the FBI and other federal agencies were recognized with an award presented Monday in North Platte. The investigation, called “Let if Ride”, was honored by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area with it’s “Community Impact Award”.
Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc said the “award really represents an incredible recognition for a team that doesn’t often get public notice because of the very nature of the work that they’re doing. The CODE Task Force is a tremendous public safety initiative that has positively benefited several communities in this area for a very long time. That’s largely because of the teamwork that we see represented among the agencies on the CODE Task Force.” Col. Bolduc told media and officers present that “each law enforcement agency has a unique aspect to its operation, whether it’s a different jurisdiction , a different focus or something else that sets them apart from one another. They all bring those disciplines together to work as a team.”
Kowel said the investigation points out that drug activity happens in rural areas and is not just an urban issue.