48 Arrested in Northland Drug Trafficking Case
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Duluth task force investigation that began nearly two years ago has led to dozens of arrests and the seizure of large quantities of drugs and firearms tied to a trafficking operation.
Investigators say the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force first identified people connected to the operation in May 2023 while looking into local drug activity and firearm-related violence.
As the case developed, authorities say they uncovered a wider conspiracy involving higher-level distributors who supplied drugs to the Northland and used threats and violence to control others involved in the operation.
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Law enforcement officials say some of the main suspects were linked to the Black P Stone street gang, with connections traced back to Harvey, Illinois. Investigators say the group was responsible for moving significant amounts of narcotics into the region, contributing to ongoing drug-related violence in Duluth, Superior and surrounding communities.
What started as a localized investigation eventually shifted toward identifying and cutting off the group’s supply sources. Authorities say that change in focus led to broader enforcement actions aimed at disrupting the operation rather than only arresting street-level dealers.
On Tuesday, officers carried out a coordinated enforcement action that included 10 search warrants and resulted in 24 arrests. During those searches, investigators seized $28,609 in cash along with about 330.2 grams of methamphetamine, 138.62 grams of fentanyl and 79.33 grams of cocaine. One illegal firearm was also recovered.
Those seizures add to totals accumulated since the investigation began. Authorities say the case has resulted in 48 arrests overall and the seizure of more than 512.53 grams of methamphetamine, about 1,797.76 grams of fentanyl, 292.69 grams of cocaine, 2,201 M30 pills and 12 grams of crack cocaine. Investigators have also seized 17 firearms during the course of the investigation.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Duluth Police Department, the Superior Police Department, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with several local and federal partners.
Authorities say the investigation is still active and that additional people connected to the operation have not yet been arrested.
