Traffic Stop Leads to Rochester Fentanyl & Cocaine Bust
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A recent traffic stop in Rochester led to a fentanyl and cocaine bust.
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The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Tuesday, says a Rochester Police officer on patrol pulled over a vehicle for an illegal U-turn near the intersection of North Broadway Ave. and 7th Ave. Northeast.
The traffic stop occurred around 12:30 Tuesday morning.
Man With Extensive Criminal History in Minnesota Charged in Rochester Drug Bust
The suspect vehicle began to back up, nearly hitting the officer’s squad car that was parked behind it. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer saw a foldable knife in the driver’s hand, the charges say.
The driver secured the knife and obeyed the officer’s command to exit the vehicle to allow for a search of the vehicle for additional weapons.
32-year-old Gatwech Biel Wiel of Rochester was identified as the driver. He was displaying signs of impairment leading to the officer to administer a series of roadside sobriety tests, the complaint alleges.
Wiel failed the test and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, the court filing says.
During a search of Wiel the officer found a black pouch containing two baggies with a white powder in Wiel’s jacket pockets. The charges say Wiel said the powder was cocaine.
The powder later measured out to weigh 35.9 grams with packaging and tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl, according to the complaint.
While at the jail the officer attempted to serve a search warrant to obtain a fluid sample from Wiel. The charges say Wiel refused to provide a sample after being advised that not abiding by the warrant was a crime.
Wiel is charged with first-degree drug possession, second-degree drug possession, DWI and DWI test refusal. He’s set to be arraigned in Olmsted County Court Wednesday morning.
Court records indicate Wiel has a criminal history that dates back to 2009 and includes multiple DWI and drug possession convictions as well as a criminal sexual conduct conviction.
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Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now
