Police seize 2.2 pounds of cocaine

With assistance from several law enforcement agencies, Cloquet police department detectives seized 2.2 pounds of cocaine with a street value of nearly $30,000 last week.

Misty Anne Baum, 40, of Duluth, was charged with first degree possession of drugs for the cocaine possession, along with fifth- degree drug possession and introducing contraband into jail.

According to the criminal complaint, the Drug Enforcement Agency contacted Cloquet detectives on Jan. 12, after local agents located a package containing nearly 1 kilogram of cocaine addressed to a residence in Cloquet. Officers learned the package was addressed to a person not associated with the address.

That same day, officers drafted a search warrant for the home in the 400 block of Eighth Street. An undercover DEA agent dressed as a delivery driver attempted delivery of the package, then left the package on the doorstop. Multiple officers in the area conducted continuous surveillance. Shortly before 6 p.m., they observed a van approach the residence. Baum allegedly collected the package and brought it back into the van. When she began to drive away, officers stopped the van and the box containing the drugs was sitting in the front passenger seat.

Neighbors told police they had seen a gray van and a woman similar in description to Baum and an unknown male coming and going from the residence approximately three days a week. Baum was transported to the Carlton County jail, where jail staff allegedly found an additional 6.5 grams of cocaine on her person.

Also assisting with the investigation were the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, Minneapolis Airport Police, Carlton County Sheriff’s Office and the Fond du Lac Police Department.

The preliminary field test on the substance in the package tested positive for cocaine. It had a gross field weight of 2.2 pounds.

According to a CPD press release, the substance tested positive for cocaine. The field weight was 2.2 pounds with an estimated street value of the suspected cocaine recovered was $29,000.

Cloquet police chief Derek Randall praised the work of everyone involved in the investigation during Tuesday’s Cloquet City Council meeting, noting that the sale of the cocaine here could have significantly impacted the community.

The investigation remains active. Baum’s next court appearance is set for Feb. 10.