Concerns Over Possible Juvenile Overdoses Prompted Rochester Raid

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester police are indicating that the raid connected yesterday at the Motel 6 in northwest Rochester was executed because of the threat of potential drug overdoses in the community.

A statement issued this afternoon indicates a search of five rooms at the motel resulted in the arrests of seven people in the seizure of 7 grams of methamphetamine, dozens of suspected counterfeit oxycodone pills, a small amount of marijuana, and related drug paraphernalia. From previous investigations locally and elsewhere, authorities have found that counterfeit oxycodone pills often contain fentanyl.

The news release says Rochester Police developed information that pointed to suspected narcotic sales, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, were taking place at the Motel 6.

It was also determined that one of the persons suspected of drug dealing was in the possession of a firearm despite being prohibited from possessing guns due to his criminal past. Investigators obtained additional information that indicated the drug sales were taking place in multiple motel rooms and multiple people were involved.

The news release says the decision was made to move forward with executing the search warrants when investigators came upon new information that indicated juveniles were involved in the case. Because of the potential for overdoses among juveniles, it was decided to conduct the raid for the "specific purpose of disrupting and ending the criminal activity before overdoses or narcotics-related gun violence occurred."