New Brighton Man Charged After FedEx Package Leads to Major Drug Bust

Oct 18

Federal authorities charged a New Brighton man after investigators intercepted a FedEx package containing more than nine pounds of suspected cocaine inside.

Investigators later found large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and a gun inside his apartment during a search warrant.

According to a federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, 32-year-old Mustaf Abdullahi Farah, also known as “Mohamed Ahmed,” faces charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of cocaine, along with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

On Sept. 11, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police intercepted a suspicious FedEx package addressed to “Mohamad Ahmed” at an apartment on the 1400 block of 10th Street Northwest in New Brighton. A FedEx employee had reported the discovery during a routine inspection. The package weighed roughly 9.1 pounds, and a field test confirmed it contained cocaine.

Ramsey County investigators obtained a search warrant for the address and arranged a controlled delivery of the package. The next morning, an undercover officer dressed as a FedEx employee delivered the package to Farah, who identified himself as the resident of the apartment and accepted the box at the door. Officers executed the search warrant immediately after the delivery.

Inside, investigators found the package still unopened in the kitchen, along with large quantities of suspected controlled substances throughout the apartment. The affidavit states that officers discovered three bricks of suspected cocaine in a bedroom, assorted pills in envelopes and boxes, and a duffel bag containing blue pills in “tie-off” baggies, white powder, and hash oil. They also recovered a .45-caliber FN pistol and firearm accessories in the same room.

A field test on one of the white powder packages indicated it was cocaine weighing about one kilogram. The blue pills tested positive for fentanyl with a total weight of approximately 551 grams. Officers also located drug-distribution materials, including baggies, scales, and a blender.

Farah was the only person inside the apartment during the search and told investigators he had lived there for five years. He denied involvement in any drug activity and claimed to be confused about the situation.

Investigators with the Saint Paul Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations noted that the firearm was found near the narcotics and that, based on their training, such weapons are commonly used to protect drugs, cash, and drug operations.

Farah was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and another count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

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