'Broken Arrow' operation results in 50 felony charges in Lakes area

The Spirit Lake Police Department and Spirit Lake Police Chief Jeff Hansen released a statement today announcing the end of a year and a half long undercover investigation code named "Broken Arrow." Spearheaded by the Spirit Lake Police Department in cooperation with the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force, the operation also involved and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent infiltrating a large network of drug and gun traffickers in the Lakes area. The end of the case culminated with 25 defendants being charged with over 50 felonies charges including drug trafficking, gun trafficking, conspiracy and numerous other felonies. One vehicle, cash, guns and narcotics to include Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and Ecstasy (MDMA) have been seized by the Spirit Lake Police Department. The case ended after one of the defendants hired the undercover ATF Agent to violently assault and disfigure a local man who has since been taken into Federal Protective Custody and was unharmed.

The Spirit Lake Police Department says this is an ongoing investigation and that more arrests and seizures are expected.

The following agencies assisted in the investigation:

* Dickinson County Attorneys Office

* Clay County Sheriff's Office

* Estherville Police Department

* Division of Narcotics Enforcement

* Division of Criminal Investigation

* Arnolds Park Police Department

* Milford Police Department

* Okoboji Police Department

* Hartley Police Department

* Dickinson County Sheriff's Department

* Sheldon Police Department

* Spencer Police Department

* Department of Corrections

* O'Brien County Sheriffs Office

* Iowa Department of Natural Resources