Cass Lake Woman Charged After Meth Found in Truck

Cass Lake Woman Charged After Meth Found in Truck

CASS LAKE (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake woman faces three charges following a June 11 traffic stop.

Nicole Marie Kruse has been charged in Cass County District Court. The charges include fifth-degree drug possession, improper vehicle registration, and driving an uninsured vehicle.

The allegations are listed in a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Kruse is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

License Plate Reportedly Belonged to Another Vehicle

According to the complaint, a Cass County deputy saw a red GMC Sierra traveling north on Aspen Avenue.

The truck was near Leech Lake Market when the deputy checked its license plate.

Records allegedly showed the plate belonged to a green 2008 Ford Explorer. The deputy then stopped the truck.

Kruse was identified as the driver, according to the complaint.

She allegedly told the deputy she did not know about the license plate problem. She also said the truck had no insurance or vehicle paperwork.

A check of the vehicle identification number showed a different plate was assigned to the truck. That registration had reportedly expired in November 2025.

Container Allegedly Held Methamphetamine

The truck was ordered to be towed because of the registration and insurance issues.

An inventory search was conducted before the vehicle was removed.

During that search, the deputy allegedly found a green and white contact lens container.

The container was wedged between the driver’s seat and the middle bench seat.

The deputy heard something rattling inside and opened the container, according to the complaint.

Investigators reported finding a substance believed to be methamphetamine.

The substance weighed about 0.23 grams. It also produced a positive field test for methamphetamine, the complaint states.

Three Charges Filed in Cass County

The fifth-degree drug charge is a gross misdemeanor. It carries a possible sentence of 364 days in jail.

The maximum fine is $3,000 under Minnesota Statute 152.025.

The registration and insurance charges are misdemeanors. Each carries a possible 90-day jail sentence and a $1,000 fine.

Case information and future hearings may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The complaint contains allegations supporting the charges. It does not represent a finding of guilt.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.