1,400 mile trip takes riders to five state capitols in three days
Members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division are helping raise awareness to Red Ribbon Week with a 1,400 mile motorcycle ride beginning Tuesday, October 8, at 7 a.m., in Omaha, that includes stops at capitol buildings in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, the five states that make up the DEA Omaha Division.
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention and awareness program, occurring annually, October 23-31. The event began following the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was tortured and murdered in 1985 by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. Today, millions of people recognize Red Ribbon Week by wearing ribbons, lighting landmarks red, engaging in conversations about the dangers of drug misuse and experimentation and pledging to live drug free lives.
Across the Midwest, fentanyl and methamphetamine remain the top two drugs seized by DEA in 2024. To date, approximately 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl have been removed from the five state Division along with nearly 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine. While fentanyl pill seizures are trending downward, fentanyl powder seizures have jumped 21 percent and methamphetamine seizures approximately 50 percent.
“It sounds cliché given the ride we’re embarking on, but we can’t take our foot off the gas when it comes to raising awareness about the dangers of drugs,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Steven T. Bell said. “We need to continue conversations on the consequences of drug experimentation and misuse and educate members of our community on the lethality of just one small dose of fentanyl. Our hope is that this Red Ribbon ride draws attention to a subject that needs to be discussed by families within our region.”
DEA Omaha Division SAC Bell is among the riders making the three-day ride through all five states and will be available for interviews at each of the state capitols. Times listed below are tentative and subject to change. To schedule an interview with SAC Bell or Public Information Officer Emily Murray about the ride or Red Ribbon Week, please contact Murray at Emily.A.Murray@dea.gov or 402-214-0692.
Tuesday: October 8
Depart- DEA Omaha Division Office: Approximately 7 a.m.
7300 World Communications Drive, Omaha, NE 68122
Arrive- Iowa State Capitol: Approximately 10 a.m.
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319
Arrive-Minnesota State Capitol: Approximately 3 p.m.
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155
Wednesday: October 9
Arrive-North Dakota State Capitol: Approximately 11 a.m.
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505
Arrive-South Dakota State Capitol: Approximately 3:30 p.m.
500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
Thursday. October 10
Arrive-Nebraska State Capitol: Approximately 2:45 p.m.
1445 K St, Lincoln, NE 68508