The Safe Trails Task Force Fremont County is a multi-agency law enforcement initiative operating in Fremont County, Wyoming, with a concentrated focus on drug trafficking, violent crime, and illegal firearms activity on and around the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Led by the FBI, the task force represents one of the most coordinated federal, state, county, and tribal crime-fighting efforts in the region, responding to rising concerns over fentanyl, methamphetamine, and related violence.
Mission and Focus Areas
The Safe Trails Task Force was created to disrupt organized drug networks and protect public safety in communities disproportionately affected by narcotics trafficking.
Primary Objectives
- Combat distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine
- Target violent crime linked to drug trafficking
- Remove illegal firearms from circulation
- Dismantle local and transnational drug organizations
Much of the task force’s work centers on the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes, where jurisdictional complexity often requires coordinated enforcement.
Agencies and Partnerships
The RMSTTF operates as a joint task force, combining federal authority with local and tribal knowledge.
Participating Agencies
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Lead agency
- Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
- Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- Wyoming Highway Patrol
- Riverton Police Department
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- Tribal Police Departments
This collaborative model allows officers to work across jurisdictional boundaries that historically complicated investigations on reservation lands.
Tribal Collaboration and Community Protection
A defining feature of the Safe Trails Task Force is its close coordination with tribal authorities. By working directly with BIA law enforcement and tribal police, the task force aims to protect the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone communities while respecting tribal sovereignty.
Officials have emphasized that these partnerships are essential for building trust and ensuring investigations are conducted lawfully and transparently.
Recent Operations and Impact (2025–2026)
Operation Summer Heat
In August 2025, the task force announced Operation Summer Heat, described by officials as a “scorched-earth” enforcement effort targeting large-scale drug trafficking in Fremont County.
The operation resulted in:
- Federal charges against multiple suspects
- Seizures of significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl
- Expanded investigations into regional distribution networks
High-Profile Arrests
Recent cases tied to RMSTTF investigations include:
- The arrest of a 40-year-old Hudson woman found with fentanyl and firearms
- The apprehension of a Mexican national connected to a transnational drug trafficking organization
Authorities say these arrests demonstrate the task force’s focus on both street-level suppliers and higher-level organizers.
Public Safety and Immigration Clarifications
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, residents in Fort Washakie reported an increased law enforcement presence. Officials later clarified that these operations were part of federal criminal investigations, not immigration enforcement actions.
This clarification was issued to address community concerns and prevent misinformation about the task force’s role.
Attributes Chart
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Task Force Name | Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force (RMSTTF) or Safe Trails Task Force, Fremont County |
| Location | Fremont County, Wyoming |
| Primary Focus | Drug trafficking, violent crime, illegal firearms |
| Lead Agency | FBI |
| Key Drugs Targeted | Fentanyl, methamphetamine |
| Tribal Areas Served | Wind River Indian Reservation |
| Tribal Partners | Northern Arapaho & Eastern Shoshone tribal police |
| Notable Operation | Operation Summer Heat (2025) |
| Jurisdiction Type | Federal, state, county, and tribal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Safe Trails Task Force in Fremont County?
It is a multi-agency law enforcement task force targeting drug trafficking and violent crime in Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Who leads the Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force?
The task force is led by the FBI in partnership with state, county, and tribal agencies.
Is the task force involved in immigration enforcement?
No. Officials have clarified that its operations focus on criminal investigations, not immigration enforcement.
Why is fentanyl a major focus?
Fentanyl has been linked to rising overdose deaths and violent crime in the region, making it a top enforcement priority.
Does the task force work with tribal police?
Yes. Collaboration with BIA and tribal police is a core part of the task force’s mission.
Conclusion
The Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force represents a sustained effort to confront some of Fremont County’s most serious public safety challenges. By combining federal resources with local and tribal partnerships, the task force aims to disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce violence, and restore safety to communities across the Wind River region.
As operations continue into 2026, officials say collaboration and transparency will remain key to the task force’s long-term effectiveness.
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