On September 3rd, 2025, an officer with the Centennial Lakes Police Department was outside of a home on the 3900 block of Edgewood Rd, city of Circle Pines, that was known to law enforcement as being associated with drug use and other illegal activity. Law enforcement observed a vehicle bearing MN registration ZEA 707 depart the location. Law enforcement observed the vehicle driving on northbound 35W from Lexington Ave, city of Lino Lakes, county of Anoka and law enforcement visually confirmed the driver was C. M., who was known to have a revoked driver's license.
A traffic stop was initiated, and officers spoke with the driver and passenger. Law enforcement observed a strong odor of marijuana and noted that the passenger, later identified as DUSTIN JAMES MILLER [DOB REDACTED], "Defendant" herein, appeared highly nervous, avoided eye contact and was sweating profusely, despite it being a cool night. Defendant initially declined to provide his full name until it was demanded by officers, who after confirming his identity learned that he had two felony warrants for fleeing police in a motor vehicle and 5th degree drugs.
Defendant was placed under arrest. In a search incident to arrest a syringe, two knives and blue pills were found on his person. Defendant stated that he had more needles in his backpack and that he used methamphetamines. Officers spoke with C. M. Who admitted to recently using marijuana. C. M. Also stated that Defendant told him to not stop and instead to flee from police so that he could "throw stuff out." C. M. Stated that Defendant had a bag of marijuana in his possession. C. M. Gave consent for a search of the vehicle and stated that the backpack that had been located between the passenger's legs and the bags in the backseat belonged to Defendant, and that C. M. Also had his own backpack in the backseat.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. The backpack belonging to Defendant contained a large black case that in turn contained a gallon-sized Ziploc bag with a significant quantity of white crystal-like substances, along with multiple smaller bags also containing similar white crystal-like substances. Law enforcement also found a yellow bag in the rear passenger compartment which contained a plastic container holding a brown crystal- like substance. The suspected narcotics were tested by the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory and the large Ziploc found in Defendant's backpack contained over 150 grams of methamphetamine.
In a post-Miranda statement, Defendant admitted that the methamphetamine found in the car belonged to him. Defendant also stated that he sold methamphetamine and estimated that he sold one ounce (approximately 28 grams) each day, every day, over the immediately previous 30 days for a total sale of methamphetamine in excess of 840 grams. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Defendant's phone. A forensic examination of the phone uncovered numerous messages from August of 2025 where Defendant was arranging to sell narcotics to at least four different individuals.
