Bemidji-Area Stop Leads to Major Meth Charge

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Shakopee man faces a first-degree drug charge after a Beltrami County traffic stop.

Larry Eugene Burrell Jr., 49, is charged with first-degree possession of cocaine or methamphetamine.

Prosecutors allege officers found about 450 grams of suspected methamphetamine inside his vehicle.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

It also carries a possible $1 million fine and a four-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Traffic Stop On Highway 71

The investigation unfolded on August 6, 2026, according to the criminal complaint.

A drug task force agent alerted deputies about Burrell returning to Beltrami County from the Twin Cities area.

Investigators said Burrell was already a suspect in an ongoing controlled substance sales investigation.

An officer later reported seeing Burrell’s Lexus speeding north on U.S. Highway 71.

The vehicle also allegedly passed other vehicles in a no-passing zone.

A deputy stopped the Lexus near Horace May Elementary School.

Burrell was the vehicle’s only occupant, according to prosecutors.

The complaint says an officer smelled marijuana while approaching the vehicle.

Burrell denied knowing about marijuana in the vehicle.

A search later uncovered marijuana, a glass pipe, and other drug-related items, prosecutors allege.

Investigators also found a backpack on the rear passenger floor.

Inside, officers allegedly discovered several bags containing large crystalline shards.

The substance was believed to be methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Officers also found about 100 hand-pressed pills inside the backpack.

Those pills field tested presumptively positive for fentanyl, prosecutors say.

A prescription bottle bearing Burrell’s name was also inside the backpack.

Investigators later reported that the suspected methamphetamine weighed approximately 450 grams.

About 50 grams of marijuana were also reported during evidence processing.

Burrell denied knowing about the suspected methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

He was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.

The complaint states Burrell was on supervised release for prior drug convictions at the time.

The current case is filed as Beltrami County court file 04-CR-26-1833.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 152.021 for first-degree controlled substance crimes.

Additional court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The charge is an allegation and has not been proven in court.

Burrell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.