Aitkin, Itasca, Mille Lacs VCET Snapshot Year-To-Date

Release from the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office:

The Aitkin-Itasca-Mille Lacs Violent Crimes Enforcement Team (AIM VCET) was created in January of 2022 and received State of Minnesota grant funding to investigate, identify, and disrupt illegal drug activity within the jurisdictions of the AIM VCET members.

Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the 3 counties have signed a joint powers agreement allowing law enforcement officers from Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Aitkin Police Department, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids Police Department and the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office to seek out and conduct criminal investigations on those who are involved with violent crimes.

Since the AIM VCET has been operational Agents assigned have successfully investigated numerous crimes resulting in the following arrests and seizures.

YTD Drug Arrests by Charge

	1st Degree	2nd Degree	3rd Degree	4th Degree	5th Degree	Federal Charges	Total
Males Arrested	7		3	1	6		17
Females Arrested	1		3		4		8
Total	8	0	6	1	10	0	25
Warrants/Non-Drug Arrests						5

Narcotics Seizures and Purchases

For the period ending June 30, 2022, the AIM VCET seized and purchased:

1.      A combined total of 2,432.95 grams (5.36 pounds) of Methamphetamine, having a street value of $180,038.30

2.      A combined total of 363 prescription pills (79 seized, 284 purchased), having a street value of $1,557.00

3.      A combined total of 4,706.77 grams (10.38 pounds) of Marijuana, having a street value of $16,986.64

4.      A combined total of 901.28 grams (1.99 pounds) of Marijuana Concentrates, having a street value of $80,546.40

5.      A combined total of 16 grams (0.04 pounds) of Synthetic (Cannabinoid), having a street value of $320.00

6.      A combined total of 8 each of THC Cartridges, having a street value of $280.00

7.      A combined total of 12.43 grams (0.03 pounds) of Marijuana Wax, having a street value of $745.80

8.      A combined total of 1.93 gram (0.00 pounds) of Heroin, having a street value of $363.53

Children removed from endangerment: 5
Currency seized: $26,360 pending administrative forfeiture ($5,229 cleared)

The AIM VCET requests that if any citizens in the three county coverage area have concerns or information regarding ongoing criminal activity involving drugs or violent crimes to please contact their local dispatch centers or the AIM VCET office at 218-927-7449.

* Data January 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2022