EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Grand Forks man faces a felony cocaine possession charge carrying a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
Brian Keith Frazier, 55, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is accused of possessing cocaine within a protected park zone in East Grand Forks.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court, the investigation began June 10, 2026.
The complaint also includes a misdemeanor uninsured vehicle charge and requests a nationwide arrest warrant.
Police Spot Vehicle Near East Grand Forks Park
At approximately 11:04 a.m., East Grand Forks police noticed a Dodge Nitro with Missouri license plates.
The vehicle was parked in an alley between Town View Apartments and Town Square Apartments.
According to court documents, the location was within 300 feet of Al LaFave Park.
The officer recognized the area from previous drug investigations and noticed that the vehicle’s registration had expired.
Police attempted to stop the Nitro, but the driver allegedly continued traveling instead of stopping immediately.
Vehicle Crosses Sorlie Bridge Into North Dakota
The officer activated emergency lights and eventually used the siren a second time.
According to the complaint, the Dodge crossed the Sorlie Bridge into Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The vehicle eventually stopped, and police identified the driver as Frazier.
Frazier provided an expired insurance card and registration documents from 2024.
He told authorities he had been visiting an acquaintance at an apartment building in East Grand Forks.
The officer reported noticing glossy eyes, dilated pupils, and an odor of burnt marijuana inside the vehicle.
Police Discover Cocaine Residue During Search
Frazier told police there was nothing illegal inside the vehicle and consented to a search, according to the complaint.
A Grand Forks police officer arrived to assist because the vehicle had stopped in North Dakota.
During the search, investigators found a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in the center console.
Police also recovered a small piece of twisted plastic containing white powder residue behind the driver’s seat.
The plastic was reportedly within Frazier’s reach.
A preliminary field test indicated the residue contained cocaine.
Investigators later submitted the evidence to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
According to the complaint, a September 8, 2026, laboratory report confirmed the substance was cocaine.
Driver Discusses Previous Cocaine Use
During questioning, Frazier reportedly said he sometimes mixed cocaine with marijuana.
He also told investigators that he last used cocaine approximately three to four weeks earlier.
According to court documents, Frazier said he had briefly visited his acquaintance to drop off money.
The officer considered the circumstances suspicious based on prior drug investigations.
However, the complaint does not charge Frazier with selling or distributing drugs.
Park-Zone Allegation Elevates Felony Charge
Prosecutors charged Frazier with third-degree controlled substance possession under Minnesota Statute 152.023.
The charge alleges cocaine possession within a protected zone surrounding Al LaFave Park.
Under Minnesota law, designated park zones extend at least 300 feet or one city block beyond park boundaries, whichever is greater.
The felony carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Frazier also faces a misdemeanor uninsured vehicle charge under Minnesota Statute 169.797.
That offense carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Nationwide Arrest Warrant Requested
The criminal complaint states that Frazier declined to voluntarily return to Minnesota following the traffic stop.
Prosecutors cited the felony allegation, out-of-state vehicle registration, and a previous extradition case when requesting a nationwide warrant.
The complaint is marked as a warrant case, although its current status was not independently verified.
The case is filed in Polk County District Court under court file number 60-CR-26-1557.
The charges remain allegations. Frazier is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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