A multi-agency law enforcement investigation resulted in several arrests, the seizure of dozens of weapons and more than five kilograms of cocaine.

At a press conference at the federal building in Rapid City Tuesday, United States Attorney Ronald Parsons, Jr., said the investigation had resulted in the arrest of 14 people throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Rapid City, Box Elder, and in Colorado.

The investigation – Operation Black Book – was a federal investigation into a multi-state cocaine trafficking organization responsible for importing kilograms of cocaine into Western South Dakota, including to communities within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Through the investigation, law enforcement has seized 37 firearms, more than $61,000, and about five kilograms of cocaine.

“The gloves are kind of off this time,” U.S. Attorney Ronald Parsons said. “We are taking the broadest approach we possibly can to eliminating these drug organizations in the state of South Dakota and nationwide.”

Parsons said several approaches are being taken to eliminate drug organizations including law enforcement, treatment programs, the banking system, the tax code, and there is authorization to use the military.

“We are intent to do everything we can to try and stamp this out using every tool we have in our toolbox,” he said.

The first phase of the operation took place in Colorado on June 16, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three people responsible for supplying the South Dakota drug trafficking organization with cocaine. The second phase began early in the morning of Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and continued until the afternoon. By the end of the operation, law enforcement officers arrested 14 targeted fugitives.

The arrestees have all been federally indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Some of those arrested face additional federal charges related to financial crimes and firearms offenses. The investigation remains ongoing.

Defendants arrested in connection with Operation Black Book include:

·       Wuttichai Chankaeo, 32, Commerce City, CO.

·       Joseph Valdez, 49, Westminster, CO

·       Amber Bravo, 42, Westminster, CO

·       Zeno Rendon, 31, Box Elder, SD

·       Deja Guthmiller, 23, Rapid City, SD

·       Mason Martin, 23, Rapid City

·       Dylan Sanchez, 34, Rapid City

·       Jarrian Ribitsch, 31, Pine Ridge, SD

·       Laci Ribitsch, 32, Pine Ridge

·       Sara Clifford, 33, Rapid City

·       Ryan Jones, 38, Rapid City

·       Caleb Allard, 35, Rapid City

·       Savannah Backward, 31, Pine Ridge

·       Evan Sanchez, 33, Rapid City

The Operation Black Book investigation was spearheaded by the FBI Badlands Safe Trails Task Force in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation. The South Dakota National Guard Counter Drug Unit and South Dakota Highway Patrol also assisted in the investigation. The FBI Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Division of Drug Enforcement, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).