Red Lake Nation Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr. blasted accusations in The New York Times that he interfered with drug investigations on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota.

Jourdain said it was "ludicrous" for a former tribal police employee to suggest that he hindered investigations of relatives, friends and political associates. "I challenge anyone to come forward with any evidence they have that I hindered law enforcement in any way on this reservation," he told The Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I've encouraged a more aggressive and effective police force. When I was elected, I encouraged that."

In The Times story, former senior investigator Clifford Martell said he was fired for trying to get rid of drug traffickers with close ties to tribal leaders. He specifically mentioned Jourdain and he and a former partner said their work was hindered by other police employees.

Get the Story:
Jourdain calls allegations of interference 'ludicrous' (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/21)
pwlat
Does Red Lake protect drug-traffickers? (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/20)

Relevant Links:
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org

Related Stories:
NY Times: Drug trafficking in Indian Country (2/20)
Tribal leaders attend meeting on Red Lake shootings (02/01)
Red Lake families meet in private with Heffelfinger (01/31)
Louis Jourdain sentenced to juvenile rehabilitation (01/17)