Thief River Falls Pair Face Drug Charges After Search

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Two Thief River Falls residents face felony drug charges after a September search.

Alexander Todd Brua, 29, and Tiffany Lynn Nelson, 32, were arrested following the search.

The cases were filed in Pennington County District Court.

Authorities allege the search uncovered methamphetamine, fentanyl residue, drug paraphernalia and more than $5,000 in cash.

Search Conducted At Apartment

The charges stem from a search conducted Friday, September 25.

Authorities searched an apartment on Arnold Avenue South in Thief River Falls.

The warrant covered Brua and the apartment, according to the criminal complaints.

The building contains multiple residential units.

Court documents also say the apartment is within 300 feet of Hartz Park.

The residence is also located near a daycare center.

During the search, investigators allegedly found a glass pipe and a shot glass containing residue.

The shot glass was sitting on top of a scale.

The residue produced a presumptive positive test for methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Authorities also reported finding several suspected meth pipes and bongs.

Three needles and a small bag containing residue were also recovered.

More than $5,000 in currency was allegedly found inside a bag.

Investigators allegedly found four smaller bags while Brua was being arrested.

The bags contained a substance that presumptively tested positive for methamphetamine.

The substance and packaging weighed 25.3 grams, according to court records.

The evidence was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

Brua faces second-degree and third-degree controlled substance charges.

He also faces a fifth-degree controlled substance charge.

Another felony count involves alleged methamphetamine paraphernalia inside a multi-unit residential building.

The complaint also lists several prior Pennington County convictions involving drugs, domestic assault and court-order violations.

Nelson faces a third-degree controlled substance charge and another felony paraphernalia count.

Authorities alleged Nelson showed signs of controlled substance use during the encounter.

A police K9 later alerted near Nelson’s jacket pocket, according to the complaint.

Investigators allegedly found a metal straw containing residue inside the jacket.

Nelson allegedly told authorities the residue was fentanyl.

The material produced a presumptive positive test for fentanyl.

It was also sent to the BCA for further testing.

Readers may search Minnesota court cases through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Brua and Nelson are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.