ST. CLOUD, Minn. — A yearlong investigation into fentanyl sales in central Minnesota has resulted in charges against dozens of people, authorities announced Friday.
The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force said an “alarming increase in overdoses and fatalities,” including 52 overdose deaths in two and a half years in St. Cloud, prompted the investigation.
The task force said in late 2023 that it was “concentrating on identifying a major distribution network responsible for the sale of significant quantities of pressed fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder,” which led to a residence on the 1400 block of Breckenridge Avenue North. After arresting the alleged vendors living there, the task force identified the vendors, who operated in both St. Cloud and the Twin Cities.
A total of 61 people have been charged with sale and/or possession since the investigation began, the task force said. The investigation included 112 controlled purchases, 14 search warrants and the seizure of 16,000 fentanyl pills, 160 grams of fentanyl powder, nine weapons and $38,000.
The task force said it is continuing its investigation and expects more arrests.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that officials say is 50 times more powerful than heroin. About 70% of fatal overdoses in Minnesota in 2023 involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Although the number of fatal overdoses in 2023 decreased from the previous year, non-fatal overdoses involving opioids (excluding heroin) increased by 11%.
The Drug Enforcement Agency said this was necessary 2.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl from the streets of Minnesota in 2023.
