Highway Patrol's Efforts in Sioux Falls Lead to 187 Arrests in Operation Prairie Thunder
- Steve Jurrens
- Oct 3
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The South Dakota Highway Patrol has released the cumulative and individual totals for its "Operation: Prairie Thunder" initiative, which concluded its third set of saturation patrols in the Sioux Falls area on September 19, 2025. This effort involves the Highway Patrol working in coordination with city, county, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The operation has two main components: a targeted anti-crime initiative focused on the Sioux Falls metro area to interdict drugs, investigate gang activity, hold parole absconders accountable, and deter lawlessness; and a comprehensive effort to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in securing borders. The primary purpose of the saturation patrols is targeting crime and unsafe activity on the roads, with any immigration-related encounters occurring as a byproduct of enforcing state traffic and criminal laws. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Cumulative Totals (August 27, 2025, through September 19, 2025)
The ongoing operation, running from August 27 through September 19, recorded the following cumulative totals:
Category | Total |
Total Individuals in Custody | 187 |
Total Drug Charges | 506 |
Felony Drug Charges | 153 |
Misdemeanor Drug Charges | 353 |
Warrants (Total) | 138 |
Criminal Apprehensions | |
Absconders | 10 |
Cartel/Gang Apprehended | 6 |
Traffic Enforcement | |
All Citations | 1,017 |
All Warnings | 911 |
DUIs | 16 |
Other Apprehensions/Seizures | |
Guns Seized | 3 |
Pursuits | 5 |
Stolen Vehicles | 1 |
ICE Individuals in Custody | 17 |
Third Operation Results (September 17, 2025, to September 19, 2025)
The third set of patrols, conducted from September 17 to September 19, 2025, resulted in the apprehension of 51 individuals in total custody. Key results from this specific three-day period include:
· Total Drug Charges: 161
o Felony Drug Charges: 61
o Misdemeanor Drug Charges: 100
· Warrants: 70
· Absconders: 4
· Total Citations: 343
· Total Warnings: 329
· DUI Arrests: 2
No pursuits, terminated pursuits, or stolen vehicles were recorded during this specific operation. ICE contacts during this third operation resulted in 4 individuals being contacted, 4 being interviewed, and 1 individual being taken into custody.
