Major cocaine bust occurs in Brooten

On Tuesday September 8, 2026, agents with the West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant at an apartment located at 185 Central Avenue, Apartment Unit 3, in Brooten. This occurred following a lengthy investigation into the trafficking of cocaine.

As part of the investigation, task force agents conducted undercover controlled purchases of cocaine from the suspected drug trafficking organization. During the execution of the search warrant, agents located a felony-level amount of cocaine inside the apartment, along with a large amount of U.S. currency.

As a result of the investigation and search warrant, Brooten resident Major Q. Fowler, age 41, was taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and booked into the Stearns County Jail. At the time of the arrest, the suspect was a resident at Unit 3 at this location.

The Belgrade-Brooten Police Department assisted the West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force with the investigation.

The Voice learned from Stearns County jail records that Fowler was released from custody on Thursday, September 10. According to public records, three charges were applied by the arresting agents of Drugs - 5th Degree - Possess Schedule 1,2,3,4 or paraphernalia residual - Not cannabis/hemp, Statute 152.025.2(1).