Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force executes search warrant in Beltrami County

On 12/23/22, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force (PBTF) agents and assisting law enforcement arrested Kenneth Triplett, age 35, as part of an ongoing investigation. Beltrami County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Black Chevrolet SUV on US Hwy 71 South. The vehicle was taken to the Beltrami County Law Enforcement Center, where a search warrant was executed on the vehicle. A cardboard box was located in the cargo area of the vehicle which was wrapped as a Christmas present. The "Christmas present" was opened and found to contain approximately 8138 grams (18 pounds) of methamphetamine and 3 ounces of cocaine.

Law enforcement also conducted a search warrant at Triplett's residence, where they located two firearms and additional items indicative of controlled substance trafficking.

This seizure is an exclamation point on a record-setting year for the PBTF, bringing the total methamphetamine seizures to over 25,000 grams (55 pounds). This is a 12,500% increase in the last 10 years-for comparison, in 2012, PBTF seized 197 grams.

According to the MN BCA's Fusion Center's 2022 Minnesota Drug Price List, the street value of this seizure is over $650,000.

PBTF agents were assisted on this case from the MN BCA, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Police Department, and the MN State Patrol.

Anyone with information related to the sales or possession of illegal drugs or firearms within the PBTF area may call (218) 333-8130 or leave anonymous tips at Crime Stoppers Tips (https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=674&RecipientID=27165) or PBTF Tips (http://www.co.beltrami.mn.us/.../law.../tfcontactus.aspx).

The Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force is a collaborative effort on behalf of Beltrami County, the City of Bemidji, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Cass County, Hubbard County, the City of International Falls, Koochiching County, Leech Lake Reservation, Mahnomen County, the City of Park Rapids, and the White Earth Reservation.