Minnesota State Wire

A federal jury has convicted Carl Maurice Brown, 32, of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine following a three-day trial in St. Paul, Minnesota. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

Brown was among several individuals indicted in February 2024 for their roles in a drug trafficking operation led by Ezell Cordero Lucas, also known as “Cash.” Lucas and five other defendants have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

“This conviction closes the book on a dangerous fentanyl trafficking ring that pumped poison into northern Minnesota from Chicago,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across our state, and this case is a powerful reminder: we will not let drug traffickers exploit our cities or our rural communities. We are grateful to the federal, state, and local partners whose tireless work dismantled this network and helped protect Minnesotans from the lethal fentanyl epidemic.”

Between December 2021 and February 2024, Lucas managed what authorities described as the “Lucas drug trafficking organization” based in Chicago. The group transported large amounts of fentanyl to Duluth, Minnesota, targeting customers in the Twin Ports region. Lucas coordinated with local distributors in Duluth to expand his customer base while directing associates like Brown to handle operations locally.

Law enforcement agencies seized over 890 grams of fentanyl and 262 grams of methamphetamine from the organization during multiple operations that included controlled purchases, traffic stops, search warrants at residences, and an incident linked to an overdose death.

Brown’s sentencing date has not yet been set but he faces up to life imprisonment if given the maximum penalty.

The investigation involved cooperation between the Duluth Police Department, Saint Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and Syngen Kanassatega are prosecuting the case.