Traffic Stop Leads to Multiple Drug Charges Against Rochester, MN Man

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing several felony drug charges as the result of a traffic stop for speeding Friday night. 

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The criminal complaint, filed Monday in Olmsted County Court, says an Olmsted County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol on Mario Rd. Southeast south of the Hwy. 52 interchange when the squad vehicle’s radar clocked a vehicle traveling 80 mph in a 55 mph. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and reported an “overwhelming” odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. 

The driver, identified as 27-year-old Lance Benson Giwa, became uncooperative and asked the deputy to summon a supervisor, the complaint says. The supervisor arrived and Giwa exited the vehicle after making several furtive movements and had a noticeable bulge in his sock. 

Giwa told the deputy and sergeant that the bulge was cocaine, which field tested positive for 12.7 grams of the drug with packaging. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed another 14.g grams of suspected cocaine, 150 M30 pills that tested positive for fentanyl and a scale with a white residue on it, the charges say.

Giwa also had $700 cash on his person and another $410 in the vehicle. There was also a backpack containing what was described as a large amount of marijuana inside of the vehicle, according to the complaint.

Giwa was arraigned Monday morning on first and second-degree drug sale charges and two counts of second-degree drug possession. Court records indicate Giwa was convicted of felony drug possession in Olmsted County this past January. 

The judge in the case set his bail at $450,000 without conditions. His next court appearance is set for July 20.