Moorhead Woman Charged in $240 Meth Sale

Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — Shyla Kuulei Kapono Kaiawe Lopes faces a felony drug charge in Clay County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Lopes sold methamphetamine during a controlled purchase in Moorhead on February 24, 2025.

The alleged transaction involved about 6.63 grams of methamphetamine and $240 in police buy funds.

Lopes is charged with third-degree controlled substance sale.

Controlled Buy Arranged

Moorhead narcotics investigators were working with a confidential informant, according to the criminal complaint.

The informant reported communicating with a woman known as Shyla Lopes through Facebook Messenger.

Investigators reviewed the account and identified the woman as Shyla Kuulei Kapono Kaiawe Lopes.

The informant arranged to buy seven grams of methamphetamine for $240.

Before the transaction, investigators searched the informant and the informant’s vehicle.

Police reported finding no contraband during that search.

Investigators then provided $240 in buy funds and audio-video recording equipment.

The informant traveled to a Taco Bell restaurant in Moorhead.

Lopes allegedly arrived and entered the passenger seat of the informant’s vehicle.

The complaint says Lopes directed the informant to a residence on Ninth Avenue South.

After arriving, Lopes allegedly took the $240 and entered the residence.

She returned about four minutes later, according to prosecutors.

Lopes allegedly gave the informant a clear plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance.

She then directed the informant to a McDonald’s restaurant on Eighth Street South.

Lopes exited the vehicle there, according to the complaint.

The informant later met investigators at a planned location.

The bag was turned over to police for testing.

Investigators reported that the substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

The material weighed approximately 6.63 grams.

The complaint also describes another controlled purchase involving Lopes on March 19, 2025, in Fargo.

That alleged North Dakota transaction is not the offense charged in this Minnesota complaint.

Minnesota law defines methamphetamine as a narcotic drug for controlled-substance offenses.

Third-degree sale includes unlawful sale of a mixture containing a narcotic drug.

The offense carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is State of Minnesota v. Shyla Kuulei Kapono Kaiawe Lopes.

The court file number is 14-CR-25-4406.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish Lopes’ guilt.

Lopes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.