RAPID CITY, S.D. — Fourteen people are facing federal charges in connection with a multi-state cocaine trafficking ring accused of supplying large quantities of drugs to western Nebraska and the Pine Ridge Reservation.
The arrests are part of “Operation Black Book,” an ongoing investigation that has so far led to the seizure of more than 37 guns, over $61,000 in cash and approximately five kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution in South Dakota.
According to authorities, the operation unfolded in two phases. The first took place June 16, 2026, in Colorado, where three people were arrested for allegedly supplying cocaine to a South Dakota-based drug trafficking organization. The second phase began early Tuesday, July 21, and continued into the afternoon, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspects.
All 14 defendants have been indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Some also face additional charges related to firearms and financial crimes. Officials say the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
“These were subjects allegedly flooding Pine Ridge and surrounding Indian Country with deadly narcotics going unchecked for years,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
Patel also noted that since the launch of Operation Steadfast Promise in April, the FBI has expanded its presence in Indian Country, with more than 400 agents and staff assigned to the effort and a total of 29 Safe Trails Task Forces nationwide.
Those arrested in connection with Operation Black Book include people from Colorado and South Dakota, including Rapid City, Pine Ridge and Box Elder.
The investigation is being led by the FBI Badlands Safe Trails Task Force in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation. Additional support came from the South Dakota National Guard Counter Drug Unit, South Dakota Highway Patrol and Rapid City Police Department.
The task force includes investigators from the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
“These arrests are the result of a strong partnership between federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement,” South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said. “Together we are taking illegal drugs out of our communities and making our streets safer.”
The following is a list of the defendants arrested in connection with Operation Black Book:
• Wuttichai Chankaeo – 32 years old; Commerce City, Colorado
• Joseph Valdez – 49 years old; Westminster, Colorado
• Amber Bravo – 42 years old; Westminster, Colorado
• Zeno Rendon – 31 years old; Box Elder, South Dakota
• Deja Guthmiller – 23 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Mason Martin – 23 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Dylan Sanchez – 34 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Jarrian Ribitsch – 31 years old; Pine Ridge, South Dakota
• Laci Ribitsch – 32 years old; Pine Ridge, South Dakota
• Sara Clifford – 33 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Ryan Jones – 38 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Caleb Allard – 35 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
• Savannah Backward – 31 years old; Pine Ridge, South Dakota
• Evan Sanchez – 33 years old; Rapid City, South Dakota
