Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man is at the center of a major narcotics case after being charged with trafficking cocaine and cannabis across state lines. Elmer Baez Rodriguez, 33, now faces three felony charges tied to the distribution of large quantities of illegal drugs in Pennington County.
According to investigators, the arrest happened on October 5, 2024, after officers pulled over Rodriguez’s black Toyota Corolla near the Cruise Inn gas station in St. Hilaire. Rodriguez was a passenger, and Nathanael Centeno Reyes was driving. Both were known to law enforcement, and Rodriguez was on probation at the time.
Officers smelled marijuana and obtained permission to search the vehicle. What they discovered was staggering:
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Approximately 30 pounds of marijuana sealed in duffle bags and a trash bag in the trunk.
Rodriguez reportedly admitted to traveling with Reyes to Modesto, California, to purchase the cannabis, intending to sell it for profit in Minnesota.
But that wasn’t all.
Back at the law enforcement center, Rodriguez made further admissions:
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He and Reyes were distributing cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico.
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Rodriguez claimed they received 125-gram shipments every few months, costing $1,750 each.
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Reyes allegedly stored and sold the cocaine, making $100 per gram.
Armed with this information, investigators obtained a search warrant for Reyes’ residence, where they found:
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155.581 grams of cocaine
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$7,500 in U.S. currency
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Packaging materials and distribution-ready quantities
Rodriguez is charged with:
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Count I: 1st Degree Sale – 17+ grams of Cocaine (Max: 40 years, $1 million fine)
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Count II: 1st Degree Possession – 50+ grams of Cocaine (Max: 40 years, $1 million fine)
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Count III: 3rd Degree Possession – 10+ kg of Cannabis (Max: 20 years, $250,000 fine)
This case is part of a broader crackdown on a local drug ring operating across multiple states and countries.
Did you know?
📄 Charges:
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1st Degree Sale – Cocaine (17+ grams)
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1st Degree Possession – Cocaine (50+ grams)
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3rd Degree Possession – Cannabis (10+ kg)
📅 Offense Date: October 5, 2024
🏛 Statutes: 152.021.1(1), 152.021.2(a)(1), 152.023.2(a)(5)(i)
🔒 Max Penalties:
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40 years and $1,000,000 (per cocaine charge)
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20 years and $250,000 (marijuana possession)
📍 Court File No.: 57-CR-25-332
📍 Prosecutor File No.: 25-600-46
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.