A Bemidji man accepted a suspicious package from California containing suspected methamphetamine after a controlled delivery monitored by law enforcement on Sept. 28, according to charges.
Shane Andrew Oehler, 24, faces a felony charge of first-degree drug sale in Beltrami County District Court.
According to the complaint, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force was investigating Oehler and, as part of that investigation, received information that he was getting controlled substances through the mail. Investigators obtained a search warrant for electronic surveillance on a device and vehicle used by Oehler. On Sept. 25, a United States Postal Inspector notified agents that Oehler had received another suspicious package from California, addressed to him at a residence in Beltrami County.
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A certified K9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance on the package during a review. Investigators obtained a federal search warrant and found the package contained about 474 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Agents decided to conduct a controlled delivery, removing most of the meth and replacing it with a simulated substance, leaving about 124 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the package. The package was resealed and equipped with alert devices.
On Sept. 28, agents set up drone surveillance at the residence. They observed Oehler, another adult and two children leave the home in a pickup truck. After an undercover postal agent delivered the package to the porch, agents watched as the pickup returned. Oehler was seen picking up the package, handling it several times and eventually bringing it inside the residence.
Once the package was inside, agents executed a search warrant. Oehler exited the residence and was immediately detained. Inside, officers found the package next to a large digital scale in the kitchen. They also found a shotgun and two handguns in a bedroom believed to be occupied by Oehler and the other adult.
During a Mirandized interview, the complaint says, Oehler stated he knew the meth came from California because of the packaging but denied knowing who sent it. He told investigators he used a middleman to order controlled substances, sending money through various banking apps and communicating over multiple social media platforms. Oehler said he ordered a pound of meth and expected that amount in the delivered package.
The charge was filed Sept. 30 in Beltrami County District Court.
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