Six arrested after seizure of 6,000 pills containing fentanyl in Mankato

Six people were arrested in Mankato after the execution of a search warrant led to the discovery of 6,000 pills containing the potentially deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl.

The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force and Mankato Department of Public Safety carried out the raid Saturday morning, with those arrested allegedly part of a ring distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills.

"During the search, agents discovered just under 6000 counterfeit pills," said a release from the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office. "Field tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in these pills, underscoring the danger posed by illicit drug distribution networks."

Taken into custody were four men, two of them aged 29 with the others aged 30 and 40, and two women aged 26 and 30.

They are now awaiting charges for 1st-degree sales and 1st-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Fentanyl is now the leading contributor to fatal overdoses in Minnesota, with the latest figures available – for 2022 – saying it was a factor in 68.5% of overdose deaths.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.