“Streetz” and Drugs off the Streets of Mille Lacs Reservation

This photo indicates the differences between authenic ocycodone M30 tablets and fake pills containing fentanyl. As you can see it is difficult to tell the difference.

Tribal PD spearheaded the investigation resulting in major drug bust

By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAANJIMOWIN EDITOR

Spurred by an anonymous tip to Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police from a concerned community member, tribal investigators began a months-long investigation into the sale of illicit drugs on the Reservation. After the initial tip, another community member experienced an overdose as a result of allegedly consuming counterfeit fentanyl pills in Isle, Minnesota. Fortunately, the overdose victim survived. From there, tribal investigators followed the trail across several counties, partnering with other law enforcement agencies, and on December 20, 2022, an arrest was made, taking down “Streetz,” who authorities are calling a major player in drug trafficking to the Reservation and beyond.

From September through October 2022, through investigative techniques tribal investigators discovered that the main supplier to the area was 34-year-old Thomas Ardell Gentry Jr., otherwise known as “Streetz,” from St. Cloud.

Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police partnered with law enforcement officers from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Anoka Hennepin Drug Task Force, Brainerd Police, Lakes Area Drug Investigation Division (LADID), and other agencies in the investigation of a "large-scale distribution of counterfeit M Box 30 pills" — which commonly are laced with fentanyl — on the Mille Lacs Reservation and elsewhere in the state. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Gentry. The investigation also resulted in taking deadly drugs off the streets of the Mille Lacs Reservation and surrounding areas and other markets of St. Cloud, Onamia, and the Twin Cities Metro areas. Following the execution of multiple search warrants, law enforcement confiscated over 17,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, $45,000 cash, nearly 1 1/3 pounds of marijuana and three-fourths of an ounce of cocaine.

Gentry (a.k.a. Streetz) was charged Thursday, December 22, 2022, in Anoka County District Court with five felony drug counts and misdemeanor of providing false information to police in connection with the confiscated items.

“These types of investigations are very time consuming, and a lot of hours — day and night — go into them. I couldn’t be more-proud of our Investigators for the work they have done to bring this man to justice and the efforts to keep our community safe,” Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police Chief James West said.

According to the criminal complaint:

On and after August 6, 2022, a Special Agent BCA in partnership with detectives, investigators, and law enforcement officers from the Anoka Hennepin Drug Task Force, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police, and other law enforcement investigated the large-scale distribution of counterfeit “M Box 30 pills” at the Mille Lacs Reservation and elsewhere in Minnesota.

Investigators confirmed text messages relating to the sale of counterfeit pills from an individual identified as Gentry and subsequently confirmed that Gentry’s cell phone registered to Gentry. On October 3, 2022, investigators saw a black BMW SUV with dark tinted windows associated with the defendant meet with the occupant of another vehicle on the side of a roadway in the City of St. Cloud, County of Stearns. The other vehicle was kept under surveillance by law enforcement and was stopped in Onamia. A large quantity of counterfeit “M Box 30 pills” were seized from the occupant, who confirmed that the pills contained fentanyl, a narcotic and a Schedule II controlled substance. The occupant’s cell phone contained messages from Gentry’s cell phone confirming that the occupant bought the pills from Gentry.

The first of two separate searches was done in Maple Grove, where 12,800 of the counterfeit pills were seized along with $38,500 in cash. Forensic testing of one of the blue pills confirmed that each pill was 0.104 grams of fentanyl.

The second search was conducted in Coon Rapids at the alleged residence of Gentry. Law enforcement confiscated about 4,300 similar pills, 589 grams (or nearly 1 1/3 pounds) of marijuana, 21 grams (or three-fourths of an ounce) of cocaine, and $6,592 in cash. Forensic testing of one of the identical blue pills seized from the home was confirmed to be 0.105 grams of fentanyl.

Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are to blame for a vast majority of the growing number of overdose deaths nationwide. It is highly likely the person(s) taking the counterfeit pills do not even know they contain the deadly drug. According to DEA.gov, two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. DEA analysis has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet.

• 42 percent of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a potentially lethal dose.

• Drug trafficking organizations typically distribute fentanyl by the kilogram. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.

Authorities have stated Gentry allegedly holds "a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy."

Gentry was also a youth basketball coach in the St. Cloud area at the time of his arrest.

At the time of this printing, Gentry remained in custody in the Anoka County Jail with bail set at $750,000.

West credits the excellent work of TPD with not only their investigative skills, but a large part is that the officers and investigators know, understand, and genuinely care about the community. “Having a good rapport with the community is key in any investigation,” West said.

Community members are encouraged to report any and all tips to the Tribal Police. You may remain anonymous.

As of press time, Thomas Ardell Gentry Jr., a/k/a Streetz remains in custody at the Anoka County jail held on $750,000 bail.