Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines addressed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee today, emphasizing the urgent need to support law enforcement in Indian Country as they confront the severe impact of the fentanyl crisis and rising crime rates within Native American communities.

"Each time I meet with Tribal leaders from Montana, law enforcement is their top priority. Indian Country is in a crisis," Daines stated. "Tribal leaders I have spoken with have told me they feel like they are at war. Multiple reservations in Montana have declared a state of emergency in response to the massive influx of fentanyl and meth flowing in from the Southern border."

Daines highlighted that cartel members are operating freely on reservations, embedding themselves within communities and exploiting gaps in law enforcement resources and jurisdictional authority. According to data from the Montana Attorney General’s Office, fentanyl seizures have surged by 11,000 percent since 2019.

"Montana’s Tribal communities are ground zero for this destruction," Daines added.

During his remarks, Daines questioned Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland about the insufficient funding allocated to Tribal law enforcement agencies.