releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ce76105d-66ea-4cd7-b455-7277efcaa7ab
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ce76105d-66ea-4cd7-b455-7277efcaa7ab | Heitkamps Anti-Drug Trafficking Bill Passes in Senate | 2014-12-18 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced bipartisan legislation she helped introduce to combat international drug trafficking a problem which is unfortunately now coming directly into the U.S, and specifically North Dakota, passed unanimously in the Senate. Building on her work to combat drug crime and trafficking in North Dakota, Heitkamps bipartisan legislation would equip federal law enforcement with new tools to prosecute drug traffickers in foreign countries, and to tighten laws against them. As North Dakotas population has skyrocketed and more lucrative jobs are available in the oil patch, it has also brought some new challenges as major drug cartels and criminal gangs are now coming directly to the state to sell and traffic illegal drugs. This bill continues Heitkamps efforts through her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to combat drug crime and other safety challenges that have emerged in North Dakota. Heitkamp also visited Mexico earlier this year and met with Mexican officials who spoke of international cartels going to the U.S. to traffic illegal drugs. When Heitkamp was Attorney General, tracings mass quantities of drugs had to go three or four steps back to Mexican cartels, usually coming from Denver or the southwest, but now there is a direct link to the state. Mexican officials also stated that these cartels are involved in human trafficking as well, now that they have established routes in North Dakota. The bill, which passed the U.S. Senate this week, was not taken up by the U.S. House of Representatives before it adjourned for the year. Heitkamp will work with bipartisan group of Senators to reintroduce and pass the bill again in the next Congress. International drug trafficking is a very real problem in North Dakota said Heitkamp. As North Dakota has grown so quickly, international drug traffickers have unfortunately taken advantage of a law enforcement infrastructure that hasnt been given the necessary resources or personnel to meet the rapid growth. We must tighten the laws that have allowed these criminals to make massive inroads across our borders with impunity and thats exactly what this bill would do. As North Dakotas former Attorney General, Im intimately familiar with our states local and state law enforcement capabilities, and this bill would provide the necessary tools to go after foreign gangs and cartels that have used loopholes in our system to avoid prosecution for drug trafficking. We must stop these dangerous actions so we can keep North Dakotas communities strong and safe well into the future. Specifically, Heitkamps Transnational Drug Trafficking Act would work to cut off the supply of illegal drugs sold within the U.S. by making sure that strict penalties apply to producers in foreign countries who illegally ship chemicalsinto the U.S., or neighboring countries like Mexico and Canada,with the express purpose of making and selling illegal drugs. The bill also establishes new penalties when individuals have reason to believe that the products or drugs they are sending will result in drug trafficking within the United States. Heitkamp has been leading the fight against crime and drug crime in North Dakota and has worked to combat drug crime in the state since serving as North Dakotas Attorney General. In August, she joined the White House Drug Czar in Minot to announce a new national strategy to combat drug crime and trafficking across the country, with a particular focus on addressing the growing drug problems in North Dakota. The new strategy continues a strong commitment made by the former White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske when Heitkamp brought him to North Dakota in July 2013 to combat drug crime and abuse in North Dakota, especially in the Bakken. During that visit, Heitkamp and Kerlikowske spoke with local law enforcement and tribal officials about the major increase in drug crimes in the oil patch which are spreading to other areas. Just four months after that visit, the federal government announced aseries of steps to help reduce drug crime and abuse in the Bakken, including naming Williams County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, making it eligible for more federal funds to combat this problem. In January 2014, Heitkamp welcomed news that a special prosecutor will be placed in western North Dakota to help fight drug-related crimes in the states oil patch. She also brought together leaders from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in March to address the unique drug abuse and trafficking challenges Indian Country is facing, and has brought the law enforcement challenges in Indian Country directly to the attention of Attorney General Eric Holder. Heitkamp also visited Mexico in April where she met with top Mexican officials about sex trafficking and drug issues, including drug trafficking which Heitkamp specifically brought up. At the meeting, these officials agreed that Mexican drug cartels had a direct route to North Dakota. This fall, Heitkamp launched her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to tackle emerging challenges facing North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including drug crime and trafficking. Specifically, Heitkamp is leading a Strong & Safe Communities Task Force comprised of experts, advocates, and officials throughout the state who have a strong understanding of some of these new challenges. The Task Force will also look into increases in human trafficking, infrastructure stress, the increased transportation of crude oil by rail, as well as other issues. The group, led by Heitkamp, will come up with recommendations over the next five years on the best ways to address issues including domestic abuse and violence, so that Heitkamp can work toward policies that keep our communities strong and families safe in their homes. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |