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The East Central Drug and Violent Offenders task force is racking up some good numbers in arrests and quantities of substances seized. But somewhat dulling the shine on these achievements is the niggling perception that Minnesota appears to be more of a direct destination and hub for distributing fentanyl and meth.  For whatever reasons, the network internationally and within the U.S.A,  that’s moving substances to customers, is skirting Chicago and other major metro areas and focusing on Minnesota.

The Chisago County Opioid Action Council heard there’s still lots to do in crushing the fentanyl and meth markets, according to a couple task force agents at  a monthly meeting last week.  The council was formed to oversee millions of dollars from big-pharma lawsuits won by the state attorney general— which are then funds for counties impacted by opioid abuse and over prescribing.  

Chisago’s action council is hovering between 14 and 19 members and is in year three;  researching what will help reduce abuse and access to opioids and aid in recovery.  There is a recruitment underway until August for members to keep the council fresh and invite new experiences. (See county website on how to apply if you’d like to be on the council.)

The council has earlier pursued various approaches through a request for proposals, which are ranked and then awarded funds.  Usually the RFP process is happening at this time of year, but 2026 will see a delay until fall.

Council spokesperson Sheila Bohnsack, county HHS, explained the council members are seeking more  of a “strategic”  approach on which to base this next round of funds.  The vision is shifting from the criminal culture to better connections with those seeking assessments and treatment.  The council sees a need for a database on which to measure success and will be working on statistics as well.

Previously the opioid council was looking to develop relationships.  The past calls for proposals generated contact from established programs; who offer in-school education for prevention, and organizations that distribute naloxone (NARCAN) and test strips. etc. The council supported seniors too, reminding them to properly dispose of prescriptions and use drug drop-off sites themselves.

Another approach in previous rounds of funding was to acquire equipment bolstering law enforcement and emergency services working against addiction and death.

Two agents with the task force working in and around Isanti, Chisago, Mille Lacs, Pine and Kanabec  counties thanked the council last week for funds that made  certain specialized investigative equipment possible. 

The task force representatives told the opioid action council members last week that fentanyl seizures, as of the midway point of 2026, are already where they were for all of last year.  

It is inconclusive if this can be  attributed just to effective casework or to the presence of more product out there, though.  The agents explained that the east central region is populated with a drug community that knows one and other. Often multiple decoy situations are coordinated to divert attention from the real players.   

 The good news is there are fewer overdoses from these highly toxic illegal drugs and more arrests in the east central region. Non fatal overdoses outnumbered the fatal almost five-to-one.

The location of Interstate Highway 35 through Chisago County puts the county in prime drug circulating position.  The fact the opioid council is willing to support the big picture (whole region) is very helpful, task force reps told those at the meeting.

The task force generated 1,200 initial complaint reports last year and made 323 arrests and took 132 firearms possessed illegally.  Powdered fentanyl quantities collected last year came to 266 grams, which is a big increase. Fewer amounts of M30 (pills) are being encountered.

Methamphetamine was the main focal point two years ago, and  continues to be an issue but is not equally as present as fentanyl now.

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