UNET Announces Drug Seizure and Arrests in Pennington County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Sept. 28, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878 

PIERRE, S.D.  – The Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) announces the arrest of two individuals, following an ongoing investigation into illegal drug trafficking in Western South Dakota. The arrests resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of counterfeit oxycodone pills (containing fentanyl), powdered fentanyl and cocaine.

Travis Gustave Harberts 36, and Maranza Dee Ball, 35, both of Rapid City, were taken into custody on Wednesday, September 14, 2026. They both face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Each has been charged with:

• One felony count of Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Fentanyl);
• One felony count of Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Cocaine);
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Fentanyl);
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Cocaine);
• Two misdemeanor count of Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia (Fentanyl and Cocaine); and,
• Seatbelt violation

The arrests stem from an investigation led by UNET, which determined that fentanyl and cocaine were being transported into Rapid City from Colorado.

A traffic stop conducted by a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper in Pennington County led to the apprehension of both suspects. Law enforcement seized approximately:

• 14.9 grams of cocaine
• 409.9 grams, approximately 4000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl
• 34 grams of powdered fentanyl
• $3,695.61 US Currency

Both individuals are currently being held at the Pennington County Jail. They are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

UNET is a task force led by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and includes personnel from DCI, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and Box Elder Police Department. UNET partners closely with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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