Violent Crime Enforcement Teams (VCET)
Violent Crime Enforcement Teams (VCET) investigate and prosecute narcotics, gangs and associated violent crimes.
The goal is to increase identification and arrest of serious law violators and enhance law enforcement expertise available statewide for investigations crossing jurisdictions. There are currently 22 funded task forces spanning counties. The task forces are staffed by over 220 investigators from over 125 agencies.
Current VCET grants have project dates of 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2027. The next competitive RFP is expected in the summer of 2027 for grants with project dates of 1/1/28 - 12/31/29.
Violent Crime Coordinating Council
The Violent Crime Coordinating Council (VCCC) provides guidance on investigating and prosecuting gang and drug crime. They also provide direction and oversight to the task forces and enforcement teams throughout the state.
The VCCC works closely with the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is charged with additional responsibilities governing the operation of multijurisdictional VCETs.
Program activities and outcomes
Each VCET provides statistical and narrative reports on a quarterly basis. This information assists DPS in allocating funds and analyzing drug and violent crime trends throughout the state.
VCET activities and data
| Activity | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of drug arrests | 1,821 | 1,782 | 1,771 |
| Percentage of 1st Degree Drug Cases | 29% | 36% | 36% |
| Total number of non-drug arrests | 1,190 | 1,305 | 1367 |
| Percentage of violent crimes (Part 1) | 15% | 13% | 11% |
| Number of arrests involving cocaine | 235 | 339 | 351 |
| Number of arrests involving heroin | 31 | 25 | 11 |
| Number of arrests involving methamphetamine | 1,011 | 1,132 | 1,083 |
| Number of arrests involving prescription drugs | 153 | 167 | 155 |
| Number of arrests involving synthetic narcotics | 9 | 1 | 7 |
| Number of children removed during arrest | 234 | NA | NA |
| Number of handguns seized | 921 | 843 | 1,197 |
| Amount of cocaine seized (grams) | 110,178 | 105,528 | 105,021 |
| Amount of heroin seized (grams) | 3,678 | 631 | 553 |
| Amount of meth seized (grams) | 340,798 | 853,033 | 1,492,073 |
| Amount of prescription drugs seized (dosage units) | 13,421 | 10,286 | 19,809 |
| Amount of Synthetic Narcotics seized (grams) | 2,610 | 603 | 269 |
| Amount of Fentanyl Pills seized (dosage units) | 1,058,874 | 626,024 | 144,709 |
| Amount of Fentanyl Powder seized (grams) | 51,850 | 34,726 | 55,531 |
VCET Contacts
Contact
Kristin Lail
kristin.lail@state.mn.us
651-230-3558