TEA, S.D. — Seizures of certain hard drugs more than tripled in Tea in 2024 after the department added a K-9 to its team.
According to the Tea Police Department’s annual report, released Monday, March 17, law enforcement in the Sioux Falls suburb made 75 seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and psilocybin mushrooms in 2024.
That’s more than triple the 24 seizures the department made in 2023, and is credited, in part, to the department’s use of a K-9.
In April 2024, the Tea Police Department added Suni, a female Belgian Malinois from Romania, to its patrols. Suni was obtained by the department following a 2018 agreement between the Tea City Council and the Kasseburg Canine Training Center in Alabama.
Paired with Officer Taylor White, it took just two shifts for Suni to make her first bust, which led to an arrest.
In the annual report, Police Chief Jessica Quigley attributed the increase both to Suni and the creation of the agency’s investigations department in 2023.
“The work to combat illicit drugs in Tea remains a priority, and in 2024, our department made substantial progress,” Quigley said. “Getting dangerous drugs off our streets makes Tea safer.”
While marijuana and THC seizures remained stagnant year-over-year, Quigley said the department has noticed an increase in the number of youths in possession of tobacco, nicotine and THC products.
Police officers handled 80 cases of underage tobacco, e-cigarette and vape possession in 2024, a 29% increase year-over-year and a 233% increase since 2022.
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“The accessibility and possession of vape products containing nicotine and THC among young people is alarming, and we recognize the urgent need to address this issue,” Quigley said.
She added that the department is in the process of developing new initiatives intended to educate youth about the health risks of smoking or vaping, including tools for how parents can intervene.
“These efforts will focus on promoting healthy decision-making among our youth and providing resources to support families in addressing substance use concerns,” she said.
Underage alcohol cases also increased in the city by 68% since 2023 and 428% since 2022.
As is the case in neighboring Sioux Falls, the Tea Police Department received fewer reports of property crimes in 2024.
While burglaries, vandalisms, thefts and stolen vehicle reports dropped 16% from last year, reports of criminal entry to motor vehicles doubled from 19 to 38.
“I am proud to report a significant decline in property crime, particularly in burglary and theft cases,” Quigley said. “This positive trend can be attributed to increased enforcement efforts, a heightened presence in higher crime areas, and specialized assignments that have directly targeted repeat offenders and vulnerable areas.”
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One homicide occurred in Tea in 2024, which Quigley said was the first “in decades.”
According to court records, Timothy Overton was taken into custody just three days after he’s accused of shooting and killing 19-year-old Isaiah Morales. But Overton was charged with domestic assault from an unrelated incident.
While he was still in custody, the agency’s investigations division conducted a nine-week investigation that resulted in Overton also being charged with first-degree murder. He has not yet been convicted.
“We remain committed to bringing closure to victims by diligently pursuing justice, supporting survivors and ensuring accountability,” Quigley said.
The law enforcement agency lost four full-time and one part-time officer to resignations in 2024, and filled just two of those full-time vacancies.
Quigley said the officers on staff remain committed to keeping the City of Tea as safe as possible for its residents.
“We invest in training and self-development, ensuring they return to the field equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to serve our community effectively,” she said. “Our officers are dedicated, highly capable, and committed to making Tea a safer place for everyone.”
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The Tea Police Department’s 2024 annual report can be read in full on the agency’s website.
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