On January 27, 2025, Metro Transit officers watching surveillance cameras observed a male selling suspected narcotics at the Lake Street light rail station in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Officers observed the male using his hands to untie and untwist a bindle of a white powdery substance. Officers observed the Defendant use his left hand to grab a small amount the white substance from the bindle, twist and tie the bindle shut and put it in his black crossbody bag. The male was then observed passing the suspected narcotics to an individual who appeared to hand something back in exchange.
Based on officers’ training and experience, this conduct is consistent with the sale of narcotics. Officers identified the male was TAHJ ALEXANDER WARD [DOB REDACTED] AKA Tahi Alexander Ward, Defendant herein. While officers were transporting the Defendant to the squad car he dropped his gloves. Officers retrieved them and located a white powdery substance wrapped in several bindles. During a search incident to arrest officers located drug paraphernalia, Marijuana, alcohol, a drug scale, more white powdery substance (suspected fentanyl) and loose bills amounting to $168.45. The white powdery substance field tested positive for 3.69g of fentanyl.
Officers also searched the crossbody bag the Defendant was wearing that contained a black PicDecatur.25 caliber pistol loaded with two rounds. The Defendant has multiple felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms including: • ••-CR-••-••••, 3rd degree Assault, (convicted 10/19/2016). • ••-CR-••-••••, 5th degree drugs, (convicted 12/04/2017). • ••-CR-••-••••, Possess Ammo/Any Firearm - Conviction or Adjudicated Delinquent for Crime of Violence (convicted 11/3/2020). The Defendant is currently in custody.
