On August 9, 2025, at approximately 8:53 P.M., an officer with the Blaine Police Department was on routine patrol when they observed an individual standing in the median at the intersection of University Avenue NE and Highway 47 NE, City of Blaine, within the County of Anoka. The officer made contact with the individual and identified him as Nicholas John Yurkew [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant. The officer ran a records check of Defendant and observed that Defendant had a felony warrant out of Hennepin County for possession of controlled substances.
The warrant was confirmed. Defendant was placed under arrest. Defendant stated that he might have drugs in his pockets. The officer read Defendant his Miranda Rights. Defendant stated he understood his rights and agreed to talk to the officer. Defendant stated he had methamphetamine and fentanyl on his person. The officer searched Defendant and found multiple pieces of folded up tinfoil, several of which contained burn marks. In two of the pieces the officer found a white chalky substance suspected to be fentanyl, and in another piece of folded tinfoil the officer found a white crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Defendant confirmed the substances were methamphetamine and fentanyl. The substances were sent to the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory for testing. Testing results showed the white crystal substance was 0.233 grams of methamphetamine, and the two white chalky substances were 0.147 grams of xylazine and fentanyl, 0.235 grams of xylazine and fentanyl. In total, 0.382 grams of fentanyl and 0.233 grams of methamphetamine.
