Operation Steadfast Promise is the FBI’s continuing effort to curb violent crime and strengthen public safety in Indian Country. As part of this initiative, the bureau has focused on criminal gangs and organized groups that officials say have exploited Tribal lands and communities.
Between May 1 and July 31, the FBI ran a targeted surge called Operation Trusted Trails to identify, dismantle, and hold accountable gangs and transnational organizations trafficking illegal drugs on reservations. According to the bureau, the surge directed investigative and intelligence resources to 11 field offices and resulted in 50 subjects charged, 86 arrests, 62 drug seizures including 25 kilograms of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of cocaine, and the recovery of 156 weapons.
“The FBI’s ‘Operation Trusted Trails’ throughout this summer took on some of the most violent crime in Indian country, delivering on this FBI’s promise to be there for our Tribal partners and crush the transnational gangs that have targeted Indian country for too long,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “With 11 field offices participating, resulting in 86 arrests, 50 subjects charged, and 62 drug seizures, this marks one of the FBI’s most successful summer surges to our Tribal partners ever, building off of our historic efforts surging over 400 agents and staff dedicated to working Indian country, as well as 30 Task Forces, the FBI’s largest ever commitment. Our Tribal partners have been forgotten for far too long, but under this FBI, those days are over and they’re forgotten no longer. We will continue working day and night to defend against gangs and cartels who attempt to poison Indian country and fully hold every perpetrator accountable.”
During Operation Trusted Trails, FBI personnel worked with Tribal, state, local, and federal law enforcement through FBI-led Safe Trails Task Forces. Officials described these task forces as among the bureau’s most productive partnerships. The effort grew out of Operation Safe Trails, a 1994 collaboration with the Navajo Department of Law Enforcement in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The FBI now operates 30 Safe Trails Task Forces that combine federal, state, local, and Tribal resources to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking in Indian Country. The bureau has also highlighted related enforcement actions, including cases against international cartels such as the Clan del Golfo, as part of its broader strategy.
The FBI urges anyone with information about crimes in Indian Country to contact a local FBI field office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can be provided anonymously.
Operation Steadfast Promise actions and results
Officials said Operation Steadfast Promise and the summer surge under Operation Trusted Trails reflect a sustained strategy to disrupt criminal gangs and transnational networks affecting Tribal communities. The bureau reported arrests, charges, drug seizures, and the recovery of firearms across 11 participating field offices, underscoring what it called one of its most significant seasonal deployments in support of Tribal partners.
The FBI has framed these efforts as part of a long-term commitment to Indian Country, emphasizing collaboration with Tribal governments and law enforcement. Officials said the bureau will continue deploying specialized teams and resources to address violent crime and drug trafficking on reservations.