Detroit Lakes Court Case Alleges Major Drug Seizure

Detroit Lakes Court Case Alleges Major Drug Seizure

DETROIT LAKES (trfnews.i234.me) — Ashante Otis Epps, 37, of Minneapolis, faces a first-degree controlled substance charge.

The case was filed in Becker County District Court.

The charge follows a May 6, 2026, traffic stop involving a planned drug purchase.

A confidential informant had reportedly agreed to buy drugs from Epps.

The informant was working with the Becker County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators stopped the vehicle carrying Epps while it traveled toward the planned meeting.

Drug Packages Reportedly Found

During the stop, a deputy noticed a large bulge near Epps’ ankle.

The criminal complaint says a pat search followed.

Epps allegedly struggled with officers before he was placed in handcuffs.

Investigators reported finding a large package inside his right pant leg.

The package field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed about 448 grams.

Another white powder was found inside his left pant leg, according to the complaint.

Investigators believed that substance was about 92 grams of fentanyl.

The supplied records do not include final laboratory results for either substance.

Epps Denied Having Drugs

Epps denied possessing drugs before his arrest, the complaint states.

He said the vehicle was traveling to his aunt’s home.

However, he declined to provide her address, according to court records.

The complaint does not identify the driver or explain whether others were charged.

Bond Posted and Release Ordered

Epps posted a $150,000 bond on May 11.

He was released under standard court conditions that same day.

The supplied record does not list additional restrictions or monitoring requirements.

Epps also signed a waiver of extradition on May 11.

The waiver allowed authorities to return him to Minnesota for court proceedings.

The available information does not identify the other state involved.

It also does not explain why the extradition waiver was required.

No further Becker County court date was listed in the supplied records.

Minnesota Drug Law

Minnesota’s first-degree controlled substance law covers several possession and sale offenses.

The exact charging subdivision was not included in the supplied case summary.

A conviction can bring up to 30 years in prison.

The maximum fine is $1 million.

Those are maximum penalties and do not predict the case outcome.

The Becker County District Court is located in Detroit Lakes.

Public updates may appear through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Charge Remains an Allegation

A criminal complaint presents allegations made by prosecutors.

It does not establish guilt or prove the substances were illegal drugs.

Epps is presumed innocent unless the charge is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.