Minnesota Sees Massive Increase of Seizures of Dangerous Drug

Omaha, NE (KROC-AM News)- Minnesota saw the largest increase of law enforcement seizures of a dangerous drug in the entire midwest. 

Get our free mobile app

That’s according to new data released by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on Wednesday. The data is mainly focused on fentanyl seizures by law enforcement in the upper Midwest. 

The DEA says authorities in Minnesota seized over 417,000 fentanyl pills last year. That’s a 127% increase from seizures reported in 2022, which is the largest increase of Minnesota’s midwestern counterparts. 

Some of Minnesota’s more notable fentanyl seizures occurred in Rochester last year. In July law enforcement discovered more than seven pounds of the drug in pill form during a raid at a home in northwest Rochester. 

Rochester Police also seized hundreds of suspected fentanyl pills from a Rochester hotel this past fall. 

The DEA says Iowa also saw a large increase in fentanyl pill seizures last year. Law enforcement seized 141,000 pills in 2023, a 105% increase compared to 2022. 

Authorities seized 2.9 million lethal doses of fentanyl in pill and powder form across Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska, the DEA says. 

Law enforcement across the country seized 77 million fentanyl pills last year, according to the DEA. Officials also say the fentanyl pills are becoming more lethal. 

DEA testing indicates 7 out of 10 fentanyl pills seized last year contained potentially deadly doses of the drug compared to 4 out of 10 pilled in 2022. Fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45, the DEA says.

More Minnesota News:

• Ramp Closure and Detour Planned for Busy Rochester Interchange Next Week
• Charges Filed in Rochester Crash That Injured 4 People 
• Historic Building in Small Minnesota Community's Downtown Catches Fire