Following up on a multi-agency effort aimed at making it more difficult to traffic drugs on the tribe’s reservation, the Lac du Flambeau band has begun issuing banishment orders, requiring people to leave the reservation for five years. All 58 people ordered banished last were arrested in Operation Pandora on drug charges. Tribal leadership say they’re dealing with an epidemic, as drugs, alcohol, and other illegal activity have led to deaths and violence.
There have been over ten deaths related to alcohol, drugs and related issues in two years. Tribal officials say the 58 banished are not tribal members, but they warn everyone involved in gangs or drugs that they could be next, tribal member or not.
WSAU