Big Sky Times

U.S. Senate Republican candidate Tim Sheehy said on X that "Montanans want safe streets," border security that "ends illegal immigration," and for "criminals to be held accountable." According to Federal Newswire, the increase in fentanyl distribution and overdoses in Montana, along with human and drug trafficking, are linked to cartel smuggling operations.

"Montanans want safe streets, a secure border that ends illegal immigration, criminals to be held accountable, and leaders who put America First," said Sheehy, U.S. Senate Candidate in Montana, according to X.

According to NBC News, Montana Indian reservations have been specifically targeted by drug operations due to a lack of law enforcement. The primary issue currently plaguing Montana is fentanyl. 

Screenshot of post on X | https://twitter.com/SheehyforMT/status/1769759868276167089

"You’re as far north as you can get in the United States, and yet we have the cartel here," U.S. attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich said to NBC. 

Sheriff Tom Boyer of Valley County, Montana highlighted the impact on specific communities. As reported by Federal Newswire, Boyer said: "The Fort Peck Reservation is experiencing a marked increase in illegal fentanyl use and distribution, with a growing number of the suppliers being Mexican Cartels." Fentanyl has replaced methamphetamine as the primary drug of abuse. This shift has led to an alarming rise in young girls aged 12-17 turning to prostitution to support their addiction. The cartels are exploiting Montana Native American females, contributing to a steady increase in disappearances.

A DEA Rocky Mountain Division press release revealed that fentanyl has become the deadliest drug in the country and is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. In FY 2023 there was a record amount of seizures of fentanyl pills both for the Rocky Mountain division and on a national scale. David Olesky, Acting Special Agent in Charge for DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division said: "Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest drug threat facing our nation...The DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division prevented more than 3.4 million fentanyl pills from reaching our communities in calendar year 2023." In Montana, approximately 106,500 pills equivalent to 17.87 kgs of fentanyl were seized.

According to Sheehy's campaign website, Tim Sheehy is a former Navy SEAL officer as well as a CEO and entrepreneur. He founded Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision Technologies and is currently running for U.S. Senate in Montana.