Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force executes search warrant in Cass Lake

On May 4, 2018, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 705 61st Ave in Cass Lake, Minnesota. This investigation involved the distribution of Heroin and/or Fentanyl on the Leech Lake Reservation.

Robert Cody Mcrunels, 48, of Detroit, Michigan, and Adam Viterra, 32, of Cass Lake, Minnesota were arrested for 5th degree possession of a controlled substance. Task Force agents seized approximately 8 grams of suspected Heroin. Regina Mitchell, 33, of Boy Lake, Minnesota, was also present at the search warrant and was arrested on outstanding warrants.

Task force agents continued to investigate Mcrunels. The case came to a close on July 18, 2018, with a traffic stop and search warrant at 127 4th Street in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Mcrunels was arrested for 1st degree controlled substance sales and Karla Jean Thompson, 34, of Cass Lake was arrested for 3rd degree controlled substance sales. Agents had purchased approximately 14 grams of suspected Heroin from Mcrunels and co-conspirators, Thompson being one of them. During the execution of the search warrant, Annadine Maria Houle, 63, of Cass Lake was arrested for obstructing legal process.

The Leech Lake Tribal Police and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted in the case.

On July 16, 2018, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 210 Village Ave in Naytahwaush, Minnesota. This investigation involved the distribution of Heroin and/or Fentanyl on the White Earth Reservation.

During the execution of the warrant, four individuals were arrested for 1st degree possession of a controlled substance: Larry Butler, 30, of Crete, Illinois; Chakeamm Cordero Cox, 26, of Midlothian, Illinois; Terence Lee Turner, 57, of Naytahwaush, Minnesota; and Ashley Ann Weaver, 34, of Mahnomen, Minnesota. Agents seized approximately 32 grams of suspected Heroin and a firearm located in a wall.

The White Earth Police Department, Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Clearwater Sheriff's Office, West Central Violent Crime Task Force and the Minnesota State Patrol assisted in this case.

On July 19 2018, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force arrested an individual in the parking lot of the Paul Bunyan Mall in Bemidji, Minnesota, in connection with a controlled substance sales and distribution investigation.

Darnell Warren, 50, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested for 1st degree controlled substance sales. Task force agents seized approximately 12 grams of Heroin, approximately 32 grams of Cocaine, 4 grams of Crack Cocaine, and 1 2 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.

Three other individuals were taken into custody during the arrest for warrants and/or parole violation: Indy Rae Lafriniere, 27, of Waubun, Minnesota, was arrested on outstanding warrants from Mahnomen, Dakota, and Hennepin Counties; Terrvante Rennikco Hicks, 27, of Hopkins, Minnesota, was arrested for parole violation; and Cheyenne Carol Fasthorse, 27, of White Earth, Minnesota, was arrested on a warrant.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Bemidji Police Department, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office and the Red Lake Drug Task Force assisted in the case.

These investigations are an example of the hard work and dedication of our agents in stopping the influx of Heroin to Northern Minnesota. It also shows that in order to attack this epidemic, we must partner with many different agencies. We have been very diligent in investigating any cases involving Heroin or Fentanyl. Due to the current Opioid epidemic that has been plaguing Minnesota and many other states, we are actively investigating these cases quickly and aggressively. Every seizure we have of these dangerous drugs is saving a person from an overdose or even worse a death.

If you are aware of any drug activity in your area please contact the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force at 218-333-8130, the task force Facebook page, or through the tip line on the Beltrami County Website.

The Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force covers Beltrami County, Hubbard County, Cass County, Koochiching County, City of Bemidji, City of Park Rapids, City of International Falls, Leech Lake Reservation, and White Earth Reservation.