Four face drug charges in Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS - Approximately 23 grams of methamphetamines, $1,700 in U.S. currency and a digital scale containing meth residue led to formal charges against four individuals Friday in Morrison County District Court.

Russell E. Larson, 22, Coon Rapids; Daniel E. Eastman, 21, Columbia Heights; Nicole A. Young, 19, Little Falls; and Jammie L. Bergstrom, 26, Fridley, were all charged with first- and second- degree conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.

The four individuals were arrested Wednesday at the north edge of the Good Night Inn in Little Falls Township, reported the Morrison County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's office and the Little Falls Police Department were investigating an unrelated complaint when they encountered a group of people standing near a vehicle near the inn.

Officers immediately arrested Larson and Eastman, who had two outstanding warrants for controlled substance violations. Young and Bergstrom were arrested when officers and the Little Falls Police K-9 unit located the digital scale containing the meth residue in the vehicle.

A county deputy found the package containing meth stuffed in the rear seat of his squad car where one of the arrested parties had been seated.

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel said the case was made possible because of the increased training in drug interdiction and investigation, along with experienced gleaned from on street work. Wetzel said the routine stops are turning into substantial drug arrests because of the officer's heightened alert on drugs.

All four individuals are being held in Morrison County Jail. The Morrison County Attorney's office reported that bail was set on all four.