Blog: Report finds gangs a problem at Wisconsin tribal casinos

"The state's Native American casinos might be providing reservations with economic growth, but they've also ushered in new levels of drugs and crime, according to authorities.

A drug threat assessment by the recently formed Native American Drug and Gang Task Force raises concerns about 21 casinos run by the Native American tribes under its jurisdiction - the Lac du Flambeau, Stockbridge-Munsee, Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Menominee, Oneida, Red Cliff and St. Croix. (Because the Ho Chunk, Potawatomi and Mole Lake reservations don't have their own police forces, instead relying on state or county drug enforcement, they were not included in the report.)

"Casinos have changed the complexion of the reservations with respect to improving jobs, economic growth, revenue, per capita payments and, unfortunately with it, generated an influx of more drug and gang activity as a result," the report says.

The Native American task force report says there has been an influx of gang members, most notably Latin Kings, gambling at casinos. The report raises concerns that drug dealers are taking drug profits into casinos, exchanging them for chips, then a short time later cashing out their chips for clean cash.

There have been no documented investigations, but "There might be federal cases that the task force in not aware of regarding money laundering," the report says."

Get the Story:
Crime and Courts: Authorities say drug dealers may be using casinos to launder money (The Madison Capital Times 7/7)