DEA Omaha Division marks six month anniversary

OMAHA, Neb., – Jan. 8 marked the six month anniversary of the opening of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division which covers Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and four counties in Illinois and Wisconsin. Since July 2018, agents across the Division have seized or collected 5,064 pounds of marijuana, 578 pounds of methamphetamine, 145 pounds of cocaine, 64 pounds of heroin and more than 6,000 opioid and pharmaceutical pills. 

“I’m proud of what our Division has accomplished in such a short period of time and with limited resources,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Darin Thimmesch said. “In these first six months we’ve established a firm foundation for the Division. Our job now is to continue building on what we’ve created and grow to our full potential.”

As the 23^rd DEA Division in the nation, staff numbers have increased by seven percent with numbers expected to grow to 250 by the end of 2019. 

In Nebraska alone, agents and law enforcement partners have seized 4,737 pounds of marijuana, including a 2,944-pound bust in December 2018. Minnesota agents and partners have tallied 311 pounds of methamphetamine and in South Dakota, 88 pounds of cocaine has been collected since July. Iowa recorded 160 pounds of methamphetamine and 27 pounds of heroin over the last six months.

“Our partnership with local law enforcement is a contributing factor to our success,” Thimmesch said.  “It’s important that members of our communities know that our teams are out there working to take drugs off of the streets and keep people safe from the dangers that these illicit drugs bring with them.”

Methamphetamine was the most commonly found drug in the division accounting for 221 seizures.  Marijuana was the second-most common drug with 56 seizures followed by heroin with 53 seizures.  The Minneapolis/St. Paul District Office nabbed the largest methamphetamine seizure in the Division at 45 pounds on January 4.

Omaha Division agents have been active at local school events, law enforcement conferences and tribal meetings and are actively engaged in their communities in an effort to keep the public informed on the dangers of drugs.  In October, the Division participated in the 16^th annual DEA National Take Back Day where 270 sites collected 34,188 pounds of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications.  The next National Take Back Day is set for April 27. 

For more information on the DEA Omaha Division, or to invite a DEA staff member to speak to your group, contact Public Affairs Specialist Emily Murray at 402-964-7950.