Montana Meth Seizures Jumped 133 Percent in Early 2026

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 9, 2026, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that cocaine and methamphetamine seizures increased in Montana during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same time last year, while fentanyl seizures continued to decline. He said anti-drug task forces remain committed to keeping dangerous drugs out of Montana communities. 

“Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs continue to threaten communities, and the battle against the cartels that are bringing them into our state is far from over,” Knudsen said. “Montana’s anti-drug task forces continue to aggressively target drug traffickers and adapt to changing trends. The Montana Department of Justice remains committed to seizing illegal drugs before they reach our communities.”   

Through the first quarter of 2026, Knudsen said Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) task forces seized a total of 30,179 dosage units of fentanyl in Montana, compared to 31,506 dosage units seized during the same time last year. According to RMHIDTA data, cocaine seizures doubled (14 from 7 pounds), and methamphetamine seizures increased 133 percent (130 from 26 pounds). 

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These quantities are from the six RMHIDTA Montana task forces, which include the Montana Department of Justice’s Narcotics Bureau agents and Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) Criminal Interdiction Teams, which are overseen by Attorney General Knudsen, and are not all-inclusive of drugs seized by all law enforcement in the state but help to provide statewide trends. 

“From January 1 through July 6, the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), which reports the Criminal Interdiction Team’s seizures to HIDTA, seized more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine, 23 pounds of marijuana, $43,557, and 35 weapons,” said Knudsen.  

READ MORE: Montana's Drug Trends: Fentanyl Seizures Down, Deaths Up

According to the State Crime Lab, there have been 13 fentanyl-linked fatal overdoses and 16 methamphetamine-linked fatal overdoses so far this year. These numbers do not reflect the statewide total, as the crime lab only verifies deaths involving an autopsy.