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[DULUTH, MN] The Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff are excited to announce St. Louis County is one of 13 counties added to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. The designation was approved by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) last week.

The federal program will facilitate coordination among Federal, State, local and tribal law enforcement partners focused on disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations.

The program will also provide additional supplemental funding to assist our efforts in tackling an epidemic that has disproportionately affected our region.

Sheriff Ross Litman states, “I’m thankful for the decision the leaders of the North Central HIDTA made to include St. Louis County in their district and the designation that comes with it. We welcome the additional assistance and resources that this decision brings to our county.” 

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken comments, “The Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is a small, multi-agency Spartan team who works together tirelessly to remove the supply of dangerous, addictive poisons from our community,” said Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken. “Their hard work is indicative of St. Louis County being only one of seven counties in Minnesota to receive HIDTA designation. While we’re removing the supply of dangerous substances from our region, we’re also working to decrease the demand by following up with those who have overdosed to help them get the resources they need to heal. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Senator Klobuchar, Senator Smith, Representative Stauber, and former Governor Dayton,” said Chief Tusken. “Because of their advocacy, we will be able to dedicate even more resources towards responding to drug trafficking in our region.”

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