A federal investigation of drug trafficking on the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Reservation in Wisconsin netted the arrests and convictions of non-Indian gang members but also brought tribal members and relatives of tribal officials to justice.

The tribe declared a state of emergency in 2002 after a series of murders and drug-related crimes. Since then, more than 50 people have been prosecuted, with 38 being sent to prison.

The drug trade was linked to the Latin Kings gang from Milwaukee. A chapter of the gang sprouted up on the reservation as gang members started dating and marrying women from the tribe.

Get the Story:
After one drug crackdown, a reservation is bittersweet (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/26)
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Relevant Links:
LCO Tribal Community Website - http://www.laccourteoreilles.com

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