Minnesota Man Convicted For Massive Fentanyl Trafficking Scheme

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A federal jury in Minnesota has returned a guilty verdict in what prosecutors describe as a massive fentanyl trafficking scheme.

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota says 32-year-old Carl Maurice Brown was convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. He was the last of the defendants indicted by a federal grand jury in February of last year to be convicted. The other six people charged in the scheme previously entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing.

Get our free mobile app

“This conviction closes the book on a dangerous fentanyl trafficking ring that pumped poison into northern Minnesota from Chicago,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across our state, and this case is a powerful reminder: we will not let drug traffickers exploit our cities or our rural communities. We are grateful to the federal, state, and local partners whose tireless work dismantled this network and helped protect Minnesotans from the lethal fentanyl epidemic.”

The charges against Brown and the others accused them of participating in a large-scale drug distribution operation based in Chicago that transported large quantities of fentanyl to Duluth. According to federal prosecutors, during the two-year period, investigators seized more than 890 grams of fentanyl and more than 260 grams of methamphetamine. A news release also indicates that a drug overdose death was linked to the drugs supplied by the operation.

A sentencing date for Brown has not yet been set. Prosecutors say he faces up to life in prison.

More Minnesota News:

• Cannon Falls Man Among 10 Arrested in MN Sex Trafficking Sting
• (UPDATE) Minnesota Lawmaker's Alleged Killer Pleads Not Guilty
• Feeding Our Future Fraud Leader Gets 28-Year Prison Sentence