450 likes | 461 Views
Learn about the impact of methamphetamine, heroin, and opioids in the Sioux Falls area. Explore the prevalence, effects, and criminal activities associated with these drugs.
E N D
Methamphetamine, Heroin, Opioids, and Overdoses in the Sioux Falls Area. Lt. Randy Brink Narcotics Commander Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force
City of Sioux Falls City Population 2018 Estimate 187,200 The Sioux Falls Metropolitan Area Estimate 250,000
Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force • 11 SFPD Personnel Assigned • 1 Lieutenant (shared with Property Crimes Section) • 1 Sergeant (Potentially adding a sergeant in 2020) • 9 SFPD Detectives • 2 Minnehaha County Deputies • 2 DCI Agents • DEA Agents • SD Air Guard Analyst • Additional support from ATF
Sioux Falls area Methamphetamine prices Pound $6,000 - $10,000 ½ pound $3,000 - $5,000 ¼ pound $2,000 – $2,500 1 ounce $800 - $1,000 ½ ounce $400 - $500 1/8 ounce (8 ball) $200 - $350 1 gram $100 - $125
Methamphetamine Common effects of methamphetamine use: Inability to sleep Paranoia/Anxiety Weight loss Confusion Tooth decay Violent or aggressive behavior Increased heartbeat Inability to stand still Increase in blood pressure Speaking very fast Mood disturbances Uncontrollable twitching “meth bugs” or open sores Hallucinations
Methamphetamine Methamphetamine addiction continues to be a driving force in much of our property crimes in the Sioux Fall area. We have example after example in local news that revolves around the use or distribution of methamphetamine. It is all too common to have larceny, burglary, and fraud arrests be accompanied by a possession of controlled substance charge. People resort to larceny, burglary, and different types of fraud all in order to gain money so that they can purchase more methamphetamine. The impact is not just to property crimes related crimes but the family as well. According to the Department of Social Services the number 1 factor in 2019 impacting placement of children into protective custody is methamphetamine abuse by the parent. This is even over other factors such as alcohol abuse, parent incarceration, and marijuana abuse.
During the summer and fall of 2018 the SFPD started to see daytime burglaries across the city that appeared to be similar in nature. The suspect(s) would use force to gain entry through a side garage door and steal large amounts of jewelry, safes, and electronics. • In sharing information among fellow Detectives they realized that the similar crimes reminded them of crimes committed in 2016 by Tyler J. Melbrech. The Detectives also had other information leading to Melbrech as a suspect. • Detectives had general information from neighborhood witnesses on a possible suspect car that may have been a silver/gray Chevy Impala. • Detectives had information on an acquaintance of Melbrech’s that owned a silver Chevy Impala and it was located with Melbrech driving it. • Melbrech was arrested for a warrant from a previous burglary and the Detectives looked into the car and discovered a large amount of stolen property in plain view. • Melbrech and Scarlet Morck were arrested for possession of the stolen property and the items were seized.
Subsequently 18 grams of Methamphetamine were located. • The car, including the trunk, was loaded full of property. The property was moved to the LEC in order to facilitate a “viewing” for known victims. • Each known victim was able to identify some property as theirs. • Detectives continued the investigation and applied for a search warrant at the residence of the 2 suspects. • In searching the residence an enormous amount of property was recovered. • Due to the amount of property we had to arrange for a second viewing with victims. • We utilized our Detective Conference room as the viewing station and spread out the property to be viewed. • Once again all of the known victims were able to identify some of their property. • Currently Melbrech is in jail and awaiting sentencing. • He has been linked to at least 10 burglaries in Sioux Falls, SD.
On 1/3/2019 SFPD Officers were dispatched to Walmart at 5200 W 60th St North for a robbery that had just occurred. • Initial information was that a suspect had pushed down and assaulted a Walmart greater while trying to get out of the store with a stolen vacuum. • A license plate was obtained by witnesses and given to our dispatch. • The vehicle was stopped a short distance away and all suspects were secured. • The main robbery suspect had a bag of syringes in his person. • A K-9 was deployed and he indicated on several areas in the truck. • A duffle bag was located in the truck and inside was a cardboard box wrapped as a present. The present was opened and inside was 5 zip lock bags that each contained 1 pound of methamphetamine. • A sixth bag with 1 pound was also located in the bag. Walmart Meth / Robbery arrest on 1/3/2019
Walmart Robbery continued. • All three subjects were arrested for narcotics charges. • The vacuum was located in the truck. • Rough estimates for the value of the methamphetamine was $36,000 to $60,000 yet this entire incident was discovered over a $239.00 robot vacuum. • All 3 subjects are currently in federal custody awaiting trial on controlled substance charges.
Heroin Horse Junk Smack Boy Goof balls H Heron
Heroin • Heroin is an opioid, and is made from the seed pod of the poppy plant. • Heroin can be injected, inhaled (snort/sniff), or smoked. • Heroin converts to morphine once ingested, suppresses pain, and gives a euphoria rush. • Prescription opioid abuse can lead to heroin use. • Heroin overdoses are unfortunately becoming more common.
Heroin • Heroin is commonly sold in “clicks” or .1 grams • A click sells for $40 - $50 • Grams are sold for as much as $200 • Heroin is dangerous and now fentanyl is commonly mixed in to increase potency. • Heroin users most commonly use syringes to inject heroin in the Sioux Falls area.
Fentanyl • Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid commonly used to treat chronic pain patients • Side effects include nausea, constipation, drowsiness, respiratory depression, comma or death • Fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled through your mouth or nose • Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and 30-50 times more potent than heroin Fentanyl disguised as Oxy’s Fentanyl Patches Fentanyl powder
Fentanyl Prices in Sioux Falls fluctuate Seizures of pure Fentanyl are rare --------------------------------------------------------- Gram (powder) $300 - $400 Patch $120 - $130 Pills $40 - $50
Fentanyl Due to the inherent dangers of Fentanyl the Sioux Falls Police Department adopted a Naloxone (Narcan) policy in late 2016. The objective is to treat and reduce injuries and fatalities due to opioid involved overdoses or when symptoms are identified due to an absorption of inhalation accident by Sioux Falls Police Department personnel. Every patrol vehicle is stocked with several doses of Narcan to be utilized in the field. Every department in the SFPD also has a stock of Narcan to be used if needed (Detectives, SRO’s, Crime Lab personnel, etc…)
Other Opioids We seize several other Opioids to include: Hydrocodone ($25 – 45 per pill) Oxycodone/OxyContin ($25 - $80 per pill) Methadone ($20) Codeine (16 FL ounce Bottle $150)
Overdoses Typically investigated jointly between Narcotics and CAP Sections • Initial response to calls is handled by SFPD patrol officers and the first priority is to give medical attention and ensure medical personnel can give aide. • Every SFPD patrol car has multiple doses of Narcan and they will administer if appropriate. • If there is a death or it will most likely result in death then CAP and Narcotics personnel will be called in to assist and take over the investigation. Narcotics • We will coordinate with CAP and work on trying to figure out the type of drug, how much was taken, and see if we can determine who sold/delivered the drugs. • State and Federal law allows for some prosecutions to persons that delivered/sold the drugs that contributed to the overdose. CAP • They will respond to the scene and help determine if the death was a homicide, suicide, or accidental. • If purely an overdose then typically the investigation will be turned over to Narcotics.
2018 Known Overdoses • 44 Calls for service • 17 deaths • Ages range from 17-62 • Drug Types • Heroin – 4 • Heroin/Fentanyl – 2 • Fentanyl – 3 • Fentanyl/Meth – 2 • Fentanyl/Acryl fentanyl – 1 • Methamphetamine – 1 • Methamphetamine/Cocaine – 1 • Cocaine- 1 • Oxycodone -1 • Methadone – 1
2019 KnownOverdoses • 37 Calls for service • 8 deaths • Ages range from 24 - 60 • Drug Types • Fentanyl - 1 • Fentanyl/Acetyl fentanyl – 2 • Morphine -1 • Meth/Methadone - 1 • Methamphetamine – 1 • Several drugs combined with Morphine – 1 • Oxycodone – Nortriptyline/Amitriptyline – 1
Triple Overdose on 4/17/2019 • SFPD and first responders were dispatched to a Northeast residence in Sioux Falls for an unknown medical emergency. • Upon arrival they immediately started to evacuate all residents and discovered 3 teens (19, 18, and 15) that were unconscious. • The teens were supposed to be babysitting 5 other children ranging from 12 to 7 months old. • Paramedics and Fire Department personnel gave medical treatment in the front yard to this very chaotic scene given the initial unknown nature. • All subjects were given Narcan and ultimately transported to the hospital for treatment. • All subjects were conscious at the hospital and admissions were made of consuming cocaine
Triple Overdose continued • A search warrant was executed at the residence based on all the of circumstances. • Detectives seized 19.5 grams of Heroin and 74 grams of cocaine. • The teens allegedly located the drugs in the owners bedroom as she was out of town. • The home owner has yet to return and she has 50,000 warrant for her arrest.
Homeless upon Entry to Drug Court: 28% Homeless upon Entry into DUI Court: 13% DemographicsFY12-FY18 JOB Percentage Unemployed Upon Entry Drug Court: 65% DUI Court: 39% Total Number of Participants 1,758 The number of children of participants between from FY12-FY17 Drug-free babies born to participants from FY12-FY18 49 39% 42% Percentage of DUI Court participants age 41+ Percentage of Drug Court participants age 22-30