Drug task force arrests five in Willmar for drug sales, possession

An area drug task force arrested five people in Willmar late last month for selling and possessing drugs.

On Wednesday, June 23, at about 11:08 a.m., the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force carried out a narcotics search warrant at the residence of 405 SE Lakeland Drive in Willmar, related to the sale of controlled substances.

Task Force agents had received information about blue, pressed pills bearing the marking M 30 — the marking for Oxycodone — being sold by multiple sources in the Willmar area. Agents learned the pills actually contain fentanyl, and that people had overdosed on them, not knowing the pills contained fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.

As agents entered the residence, the 22-year old male suspect tossed objects out of his bedroom window. During a search of the premises afterward, agents found 67 of the suspected fentanyl pills, along with cash believed to be from drug deals.  The suspect was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Kandiyohi County jail.

On Tuesday, June 29, at about 8:30 a.m., the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force carried out a narcotics search warrant related to the sales of controlled substances at a residence located in the 700 block of 4th St SE in Willmar.

During the search, Task Force agents located methamphetamine, 17 suspected ecstasy pills, and 52 of the suspected fentanyl pills. In addition, agents located over $3,000 in cash including Task Force funds that had been used to purchase controlled substances from the residence.

Four individuals were arrested in this case and eight children were removed from the residence by Kandiyohi County Family Services. This is an ongoing and active investigation at this time.