Nearly 1.7 Pounds of Cocaine Seized in Rochester Drug Bust

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was charged today in connection with a major cocaine bust.

Multiple Search Warrants Executed

A criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County court says 38-year-old Michael Marteze Brooks was arrested on Thursday after the Rochester Police Department executed search warrants at multiple residences in northwest Rochester and his vehicle. The court document says Brooks was located driving the vehicle near the intersection of 14th Street and 11th Avenue Northwest, and an officer initiated a traffic stop.

photo by Kim David TSM

Attempted to Flee From Police

After he was pulled over, the criminal complaint says Brooks refused to exit his vehicle. When officers pulled him out of the vehicle, Brooks broke free and tried to run away before multiple officers tackled him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.

1.7 Pounds of Cocaine and a Loaded Gun

According to the charges, a search of Brooks’ trailer home in the 3600 block of 85th Street Northwest led to the discovery of a loaded 9 mm handgun in a bedroom. Another residence, in the 2800 block of 24th Street Northwest, was also searched, and investigators reported finding just under 1.7 pounds of cocaine.

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Court documents in the case say investigators earlier conducted controlled purchases of cocaine from Brooks at the 24th Street Northwest residence. The criminal complaint states that investigators approximated the street value of the cocaine at more than $75,000 and described the amount as indicative of high-level drug trafficking.

pashapixel (stock photo)

Multiple Felony Charges

Brooks has been charged with one count each of first-degree drug sales and first-degree drug possession. He is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence and a gross misdemeanor count of obstructing the legal process.

His conditional bail was set at $250,000

Previous Convictions

Court records show that Brooks was placed on probation for 20 years after he was convicted of a third-degree drug sales charge in 2011 and was later convicted of third-degree assault for what Rochester police described as an unprovoked attack on a man in downtown Rochester in 2017 that left the victim lying unconscious on the sidewalk.

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Gallery Credit: troy dunken