top of page
Search

Operation: Prairie Thunder’s Sixth Saturation Patrol Nets 59 Arrests, $3,800 Seized

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The sixth set of saturation patrols in the Sioux Falls area, conducted as part of Operation: Prairie Thunder, concluded on Friday, October 31, with a high number of apprehensions and drug-related charges reported by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Patrols included a coordinated effort between the Highway Patrol and city, county, and federal law enforcement agencies. Operation Totals (October 29 – 31, 2025) The three-day operation resulted in 59 individuals being taken into custody. Of those taken into custody: • 38 were on drug-related charges. • There were 148 total drug charges filed, including 24 felony drug charges and 124 misdemeanor drug charges. • 38 warrants were served, including eight felony warrants. • Authorities seized $3,808.00 in U.S. Currency and two guns. The operation's primary purpose is targeting crime and unsafe road activity, with any immigration-related encounters a byproduct of enforcing state traffic and criminal laws. ICE Contacts and Traffic Enforcement During the patrols, law enforcement made 14 contacts with individuals related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulting in eight individuals taken into custody. No human trafficking arrests or cartel/gang apprehensions were reported during this specific patrol. The traffic enforcement component of the sixth operation included: • 8 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUIs). • 14 revoked licenses. • A total of 279 citations and 264 warnings were issued. Cumulative Operation Totals (Since August 27, 2025) Since the start of Operation: Prairie Thunder on August 27, 2025, the cumulative totals through October 31, 2025, show: • 331 total individuals in custody. • 883 total drug charges filed, including 255 felony charges. • 36 individuals taken into ICE custody. • 15 vehicle pursuits, with one stolen vehicle recovered. • 18 absconders apprehended. • $7,451.00 in U.S. Currency and seven guns were seized. • 1,738 total citations and 1,620 total warnings issued. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The sixth set of saturation patrols in the Sioux Falls area, conducted as part of Operation: Prairie Thunder, concluded on Friday, October 31, with a high number of apprehensions and drug-related charges reported by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Patrols included a coordinated effort between the Highway Patrol and city, county, and federal law enforcement agencies.


Operation Totals (October 29 – 31, 2025)

The three-day operation resulted in the arrest of 59 individuals. Of those taken into custody:


·         38 were on drug-related charges.

·         There were 148 total drug charges filed, including 24 felony drug charges and 124 misdemeanor drug charges.

·         38 warrants were served, including eight felony warrants.

·         Authorities seized $3,808.00 in U.S. Currency and two guns.


The operation's primary purpose is targeting crime and unsafe road activity, with any immigration-related encounters a byproduct of enforcing state traffic and criminal laws.


ICE Contacts and Traffic Enforcement

During the patrols, law enforcement made 14 contacts with individuals related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulting in eight individuals taken into custody. No human trafficking arrests or cartel/gang apprehensions were reported during this specific patrol.


The traffic enforcement component of the sixth operation included:

·         8 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUIs).

·         14 revoked licenses.

·         A total of 279 citations and 264 warnings were issued.


Cumulative Operation Totals (Since August 27, 2025)

Since the start of Operation: Prairie Thunder on August 27, 2025, the cumulative totals through October 31, 2025, show:


·         331 total individuals in custody.

·         883 total drug charges filed, including 255 felony charges.

·         36 individuals taken into ICE custody.

·         15 vehicle pursuits, with one stolen vehicle recovered.

·         18 absconders apprehended.

·         $7,451.00 in U.S. Currency and seven guns were seized.

·         1,738 total citations and 1,620 total warnings issued.


The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.


© NORTHEAST RADIO
Watertown, South Dakota
(605) 956-3064

bottom of page