DCI Led Investigation Results in 11 Arrests For Drug Trafficking Charges in Burnett & Barron Counties

WEBSTER – The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced today that 11 individuals were arrested in Burnett and Barron Counties this morning on drug trafficking charges involving the delivery of cocaine, cocaine base (crack) and Methamphetamine.

The investigation was a joint investigation led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation that also included the St. Croix Tribal Police Department, Lac Courtes Oreilles Tribal Police Department, the Northern Area Crime Unit (NACU), the Rice Lake Police Department, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Arrested today were:

Eugene D. Songetay

Louis R. Oiyotte

Kelvin J. Buskirck

Veronica L. Songetay

Barbara E. Berthiaume

Renee L. Mosay

Michelle L. Buskirk

Rita L. Bearhart

Courtney G. Oustigoff

Tyrone S. Awonohopay

Joseph T. Long

Those arrested were booked at the Burnett County Jail. These arrests are part of the investigation that previously resulted in 24 convictions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Additional information on those cases is available at http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/belisle_and_belisle_sentencing.pdf.

“I’m proud of the work that the Department of Justice’s agents did on the investigation that led to today’s arrests. Wisconsin has one of the best Narcotics Investigative teams in the country,” said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. “The results of this effort show what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies come together and work as a multijurisdictional team.”

Under Attorney General Van Hollen’s leadership, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has become a more active partner in these cooperative enforcement operations.

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)  is responsible for field investigations of state and federal controlled substance laws. DCI has special agents in offices throughout the state who investigate individuals, organizations, and principal members of organizations involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances. DCI focuses its efforts on the higher levels of drug trafficking most responsible for importing drugs into the state and wholesale distribution of these drugs in our communities.

The prosecution of these cases is being handled by Burnett County District Attorney William Norine. All media inquiries about this case should be directed to the Burnett County District Attorney’s Office at (715) 349-2167.

The allegations in the complaint and described above have not been proven in a court of law. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty