Narcotics Task Force Releases 2025 Activity Report
Travis Bateman
Farmer Staff Writer
A recent inquiry sought out how 2025 was in terms of drug enforcement for the county and Watford City.
The statistics provided were broken down into two categories, McKenzie County and Watford City. This is because those two political subdivisions are also the only two in the county with a law enforcement agency.
The Northwest Narcotics Task Force (NWNTF) consists of three counties, Divide, Williams, and McKenzie. Here in McKenzie County, there are two sheriff’s office deputies assigned to the NWNTF while Watford City Police has one officer assigned. The task force is lead by an agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI).
These plain clothes law enforcement roles are investigatory in nature. Operating through tips from the public or confidential informants, proactive law enforcement officers, and investigations of individuals and locations that are verified to have a drug and/or criminal activity nexus.
In 2025, the NWNTF for McKenzie County activity generated 29 cases resulting in 12 arrests. Of those arrests, 10 were felony level offenses, one was a misdemeanor, and one was a warrant for arrest.
Fifty-seven tips were received and fifteen search warrants were executed. The NWNTF also assisted the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office on an additional seven incidents.
For Watford City a similar picture. Twenty-four cases generated resulting in nine arrests. Of those nine, eight were felony and one was a misdemeanor. No tips were listed and 13 search warrants were logged. Watford City Police also received task force assistance on ten instances.
Seven cases listed were for the offense of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver controlled substances.
For the three counties that the NWNTF covers, a statistical report was provided within the 2025 Annual Report produced by the Watford City Police Department.
In that report, the total number of cases was 167 and tips received was 104.
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