Akeley Drug Stop Leads To Felony Charge
Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Red Lake woman is facing a first-degree drug charge in Beltrami County District Court.
Sandra Sigana, 66, is charged with first-degree drug possession. The charge is tied to an alleged drug trafficking investigation on May 2, 2026.
Court records say the case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. The court file number is 04-CR-26-1029.
According to the complaint, investigators were watching travel linked to Wendi Fairbanks. Authorities believed she was heading from the Twin Cities metro area toward Beltrami County.
Two Vehicles Stopped Near Highway 2
The complaint says two vehicles were later seen driving together through Akeley. Investigators believed the vehicles were traveling in tandem.
Law enforcement stopped both vehicles near Highway 2 in Beltrami County. One vehicle stopped and stayed at the scene.
The other vehicle, a Dodge Charger, allegedly fled at high speed. The complaint says the vehicle reached speeds over 100 miles per hour.
Authorities later arrested Fairbanks after the chase. The complaint says she admitted fleeing because she feared prison.
Sandra Sigana
Suspected Fentanyl Found Under Seat
The second vehicle was driven by Shanelle Sigana. Sandra Sigana was the passenger, according to the complaint.
A young child was also found sleeping in the rear luggage area. The child was not named in court documents.
Authorities searched the vehicle after questioning those inside. The complaint says a bowl was found under Sandra Sigana’s seat.
The substance in the bowl weighed more than 50 grams. It field tested positive for fentanyl, according to the complaint.
Shanelle Sigana told investigators that Fairbanks placed the suspected fentanyl in the vehicle. She also allegedly admitted to using fentanyl earlier.
Charge Carries Serious Penalty
Sandra Sigana is charged under Minnesota’s first-degree drug possession law. That law covers large amounts of certain controlled substances.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. It also carries a possible fine of up to $1 million.
More information on Minnesota drug laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Case information may also be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charges are allegations. Sandra Sigana is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.