Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Drug Task Force Back In Action

Editorial | May 29th, 2015

Andrew Sadek

They’re back. Recently, we learned that SEMCA (Southeast Multi-County Agency Drug Task Force) is back in action on the campus of the ND State College of Science in Wahpeton.

You may remember this same task force was responsible for busting Andrew Sadek on campus at NDSCS, which ultimately lead to his work as an informant. Sadek ended up dead right before his graduation. The case still has not been solved.

Sadek was reportedly threatened with over 20 years of jail time for selling $80 worth of pot on campus. Because it was on campus, the charges could be higher. Sadek became an informant, went missing and was later found dead in the Red River with rocks in his backpack and a gunshot wound to the head. He was busted by an informant, himself. His death was investigated by campus police, strangely enough.

This controversial murder case went viral and made national news this past spring after a report by the ND Attorney General’s office tried to clear SEMCA of any wrong doing. Outrage spread across the country. The whole incident screams for an independent review of Sadek’s work as an informant, a qualified investigation into his death and look at the work of SEMCA by someone who is not overseeing the organization’s work and doesn’t have a biased view in seeing it continue.

Apparently, the cycle continues. We hadn’t heard much from SEMCA after that uproar until May, when a 21-year-old Breckenridge man, who has name and picture is plastered all over local media outlets, was arrested for selling six ADHD pills to a SEMCA informant on NDSCS campus. Each pill has a $20 street value. This man now faces three felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

So here we have another person who may be forced into becoming an informant himself or have his entire life ruined for selling $120 worth of ADHD pills. We are not condoning the sale of drugs, but could the punishment fit the crime at least? Should college age students without a record have their entire lives ruined for selling a minimal amount of some of the most harmless drugs out there? Should they face the same charges as a heroin or meth dealer just because they sold the drugs on campus?

What happens if this man from Breckenridge ends up choosing to be an informant? Could he too wind up dead over six ADHD pills? Is this really what we want our law enforcement doing? Are parents of NDSCS students staying up all night worrying about their kids smoking pot at school or taking a few ADHD pills to finish a test?

Stuff like this happens at campuses all across the county. Once you violate the law, of course you have a right to be busted. But is it necessary for a task force to threaten people with decades of jail time over minimal amounts of drug dealing? And what will be the impact of pressuring all these young kids into becoming informants, thereby putting their own safety in jeopardy.

If Andrew Sadek can wind up dead for selling $80 worth of pot, anyone can. Is this really what we want our state to be known for? Don’t we have bigger problems to worry about?

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…