Seven Clans Casino in Minnesota Sees Major Drug Bust

Article ByDavid Weir

June 27, 2023

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Posted in: Minnesota Gambling News, US Casino News

The Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, (pictured) recently played a pivotal role in a major drug bust.

The casino, owned and operated by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, collaborated with the Red Lake Police Department and federal law enforcement to execute the operation.

Seven Clans, located on the Red Lake Reservation, is one of three casinos run by the tribe in Minnesota. It features a variety of gaming options, a 151-room hotel, and an indoor waterpark.

Related: The best online casinos in Minnesota, rated and reviewed

Successful Infiltration

The Red Lake Police Department is responsible for enforcing the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians’ Tribal Code. It joined forces with federal law enforcement agencies to infiltrate the suspected drug ring.

The operation led to the apprehension of alleged drug traffickers. They were observed dropping off drugs and collecting cash from dealers within the casino premises.

The Red Lake Tribal Council, in a statement, emphasized its commitment to the health and safety of staff, customers, and the community.

The council said the successful interception of a large quantity of dangerous drugs before they could hit the streets was thanks to the close coordination between the Red Lake Police Department and the casino administration.

Zero Tolerance

The tribal council has consistently advocated for a secure and drug-free environment within the reservation and at its gaming properties.

They emphasised that the success of this operation sends a clear message to those seeking to break the law on tribal lands.  

“Illegal activities will not be tolerated, and violators will face swift, punitive action,” their statement said.

Details on the number of individuals arrested in the drug sting and the types of drugs seized were not provided by the Red Lake Nation. Law enforcement also refrained from publicly declaring a street value for the confiscated narcotics.

Strengthening Security Measures

The Red Lake Nation has pledged to continue strengthening its security measures. It will collaborate with local and federal law enforcement agencies at their casino properties.

The council concluded its statement by praising the dedication and vigilance demonstrated during the operation, which it said served as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Red Lake Nation.

Despite some criminal enterprises targeting sovereign land owned by tribes to conduct their illegal business — often based on the misconception law enforcement is easier to evade on tribal land — Native American communities remain subject to most federal statutes.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigations is tasked with investigating the most serious crimes in tribal reservations, including drug trafficking.

In another story involving tribal casinos and federal investigators this month, a former lawyer for the Quapaw Nation in Arkansas has been charged with conducting a $2.3 billion embezzlement scheme from his employer’s Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.