On January 22, 2026, detectives with the West Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) executed a search warrant at a hotel located on the 14300 block of Nicollet Court, Burnsville, Dakota County, Minnesota. The search warrant also authorized the search of a motor vehicle: a Jeep Grand Cherokee (“Jeep”) with Missouri license plates. The target of the investigation was ROBERT BURNS, JR. [DOB REDACTED], who was believed to be involved in the distribution of controlled substances. At approximately 2:10 P.M., detectives observed BURNS leave the hotel.
Detectives saw BURNS place a bag in the back seat and a bag in the trunk of the Jeep. BURNS then appeared to start the Jeep and reenter the hotel. After approximately ten minutes, BURNS left the hotel a second time. Detectives approached BURNS, who was outside the vehicle, and took him into custody. During a search of BURNS’s person, a detective located, among other things, (1) U. S. Currency totaling $7,000 and (2) two cellphones. Detectives searched the hotel room. Detectives entered the hotel room using a key card recovered from BURNS’s person.
There were no individuals located inside the hotel room. Detectives did not locate any items of evidence during the search. Detectives searched the Jeep. During the search of the Jeep, agents located, among other things 1. A substance (that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and weighed approximately 219.6 grams) and digital scale from a red backpack in the rear seat; 2. A substance inside nylons from the same backpack (packaged in six different parts that all field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and collectively weighed approximately 242.78 grams); 3. Mailings with BURNS’s name.
In a statement, BURNS admitted that he rented the Jeep and that he had it for a couple of days. BURNS also admitted that he had a couple of bags in the Jeep.
