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Assault on meth ‘fortress’ led to the end of Gamboa’s drug empire

Two SWAT teams arrested Michael Gamboa, the 27-year-old kingpin of North Dakota's largest methamphetamine ring, on May 29, 2002, at his auto detailing business in Grand Forks.
Authorities targeted Gamboa due to outstanding probation violation warrants and his central role in a conspiracy responsible for 300-500 pounds of methamphetamine valued at about $18 million.
During a six-hour search, agents seized meth, assault-style weapons, drug packaging materials, and arrested Gamboa's enforcers and dealers, including dealer Garner Galland.
Multiple testimonies, including those from White Lightning and Cassidy Kyle Stich, established that Gamboa was the leader overseeing the storage and distribution of methamphetamine, resulting in a severe sentence comprising two life terms in addition to 30 extra years for heading a violent and occasionally unstable drug operation.
Although the warehouse where Gamboa operated no longer stands and the drug ring was overshadowed by a new meth threat in 2005, his harsh sentencing marked a significant law enforcement victory in the state.

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Assault on meth ‘fortress’ led to the end of Gamboa’s drug empire

FARGO, ND — Two SWAT teams moved stealthily into place early on May 29, 2002. Their mission: arrest Michael Gamboa, kingpin of the largest drug ring in the state, who was living and working in an auto detailing business, a front for a drive-in methamphetamine shop. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Krogh — assigned to the Cass County Drug Task Force at the time — burst through the first glass door. A second steel door blocked entrance into the b…

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