An illegal alien in South Dakota was arrested while allegedly transporting roughly $12 million in methamphetamine, which is the largest single seizure of the illicit drug in the state&#8217;s history, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/11/us-news/south-dakota-cops-seize-12m-of-crystal-meth-from-illegal-migrant/">reported</a>.
South Dakota Republican Governor Larry Rhoden announced the seizure in a press release Monday, which he said was part of the state&#8217;s Operation: Prairie Thunder – an expansive <a href="https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&amp;sys_id=0705be0d478b2250237fbd51026d43eb">campaign</a> announced late July aimed at interdicting drugs, investigating gang activity, holding parole absconders accountable, and deterring lawlessness.
The unidentified foreign national, 42, was pulled over by South Dakota Highway Patrol Officers during a traffic stop when a service dog alerted the officers to possible narcotics. His vehicle was searched by officers before he was subsequently arrested and charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor related to the manufacturing, possession, and distribution of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. 
Governor Rhoden issued a <a href="https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&amp;sys_id=7d6b772d1bdfa2106cbca93be54bcb05">statement</a> about the massive drug bust, which totaled roughly 207 pounds of crystal meth. Rhoden boasted about the performance of his administration and of state law enforcement officers.
&#8220;We are taking action to protect the people of South Dakota from criminals and drug traffickers. Our Highway Patrol showed incredible professionalism in achieving this record drug bust,&#8221; Rhoden said. &#8220;I promised that my administration would keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free – and we will continue to deliver on that promise through Operation: Prairie Thunder.&#8221;
Operation: Prairie Thunder is particularly focused on apprehending illegal aliens in compliance with federal law enforcement officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is in direct opposition to sanctuary city policies prevalent in blue cities.
Governor Rhoden said at the launch of the operation that &#8220;Our work alongside ICE boils down to this: Highway Patrol will support ICE with arrests. The National Guard will support ICE with processing and administrative functions. And [the Department of Corrections] will support ICE with transportation, identifying illegal immigrants in our prisons, and getting them paroled to ICE custody.&#8221;
The illegal immigrant, whose nationality is unidentified, is &#8220;now in immigration proceedings,&#8221; according to the press release. 
This comes on the heels of President Donald Trump&#8217;s push for more accountability for the trafficking of dangerous narcotics into the country by declaring a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/">national emergency</a> at the northern border and continuing to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/border-wall-supplies-sold-off-by-biden-to-be-returned-to-trump-admin?author=Spencer+Lindquist&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Border+Wall+Supplies+Sold+Off+By+Biden+To+Be+Returned+To+Trump+Admin">build and reinforce</a> the southern border wall.
At the same time as the Trump administration pushes for more accountability for drug traffickers, it is also focusing its energy on combating sanctuary city policies in blue cities across the country.
Unlike South Dakota&#8217;s Operation: Prairie Thunder, which complies with federal officials, New York City&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-guns-for-nyc-in-lawsuit-over-sanctuary-city-status?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Admin+Guns+For+NYC+In+Lawsuit+Over+Sanctuary+City+Status">sanctuary city</a> policies are facing a challenge from the Justice Department.
In a lawsuit filed late last month, the DOJ alleges that parts of New York&#8217;s law &#8220;impair federal detention of removable aliens, including dangerous criminals, contrary to federal law,&#8221; which is contrary to the supremacy clause of the Constitution.
New York City is the latest in a string of major American cities that have been hit with lawsuits over sanctuary city policies. After the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/l-a-mayor-declares-victory-as-troops-move-out-but-pete-hegseth-has-last-word?author=Virginia+Kruta&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=L.A.+Mayor+Declares+Victory+As+Troops+Move+Out%2C+But+Pete+Hegseth+Has+Last+Word">destructive riots</a> in Los Angeles, the Trump administration sued the city. In February, the administration filed a lawsuit against Chicago, which has since been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-chicago-sanctuary-law-trump-administration-6a2bef0fad3a50f045adc8be11f222e1">dismissed</a> on the basis of lack of standing by the federal government.

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Illegal Immigrant Nabbed in $12M Meth Bust, Largest In South Dakota History

CONTINUE READING

This Texas City Is Fighting To Paint Illegal “Pride Sidewalks” On The Taxpayer’s Dime

HHS Pulls Funding From California Over Failure To Remove ‘Gender Ideology’ In Sex-Ed Program

Students Punished For Objecting To Trans-Identifying Girl In Boys’ Locker Room

The People Protesting Trump’s D.C. Takeover Don’t Seem To Know What’s Going On

Texas Dems Submit To Redistricting Vote After Two Weeks AWOL

This Congresswoman Called Trump’s Crime Crackdown ‘Unjustified.’ She’s Been Assaulted In DC.

News

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Illegal Immigrant Nabbed in $12M Meth Bust, Largest In South Dakota History