Police arrest dozens in major drug bust across Minnesota

The Duluth Police Department has revealed the arrest of dozens of people across the state, in what they call their largest drug bust ever.

ABC affiliate WDIO-TV reports police say the mastermind behind the operation was 36-year-old Ricky Antoinne Osborne of Rochester. According to a criminal complaint, Osborne was one of the heads of a group of gang members who distributed heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout greater Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

A total of 35 people have been arrested in Duluth, Rochester and the Iron Range. Twenty-one of the people arrested are from northeastern Minnesota. Arrest warrants have been issued for an additional 10 people.

Osborne has been charged with six felony charges in the State District Court in Duluth, including three counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated control substance crime. Police said they have been investigating this case since December 2019 and said multiple agencies were involved in the case.

According to police, Osborne made regular trips to Duluth and is believed to be responsible for a large distribution of drugs in the Twin Ports and greater St. Louis County. Over $1 million dollars is estimated to have gone through the organization from January to October.

During the seizure, police collected 1.16 pounds of heroin/fentanyl, 2.66 pounds of methamphetamines and one loaded handgun and stolen rifle.