Rochester Raid: Deputies Seize Guns And Large Stash of Drugs

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Olmsted County Sheriff's Deputies seized a large amount of drugs and multiple firearms during a recent drug raid at a Rochester home. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday. 

Deputies executed a search warrant that led to the drug and gun discovery on Wednesday. 

Charges: Three Handguns, Large Quantity of Meth Seized During Rochester, MN Drug Raid

The court document says law enforcement opened into alleged drug sales involving 38-year-old Edward Ray Blackburn Jr. and another man who is named in the complaint but not yet charged. 

Deputies executed the warrant at the Rochester man's home in the 1900 block of 43rd St. Northwest. 

Investigators found 119.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine, three handguns, a handgun magazine, an extended ammunition magazine and $4,600 in case inside of a safe that was forced open during the search, the complaint says. 

Law enforcement also found an additional $17,700 cash, cutting agents, drug sale-related packaging material, and digital scales throughout the home, the court document alleges. 

Authorities also executed a search warrant at the residence of the second person listed in the complaint and seized 16.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine. 

In an interview with investigators, Blackburn admitted the items found in the safe were his but denied selling drugs, the charges say. 

Court records indicate Blackburn was convicted of first-degree drug sales with a firearm in northwest Minnesota’s Polk County in 2017. 

Blackburn is charged with first-degree drug sales, first-degree drug possession and ineligible possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $50,000 following his first appearance in Olmsted County Court Friday morning and his next hearing is scheduled for later this month.