Man Sentenced for Major Fentanyl Trafficking Scheme

Cornell Montez Chandler, Jr., a 25-year-old man from the Twin Cities, has been sentenced to over 13 years in prison for his role in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation, which investigators called the biggest fentanyl bust in Minnesota's history. Between August 2022 and December 2023, Chandler conspired with others to distribute fentanyl, often flying to Phoenix to acquire the drug, which he then shipped back to Minnesota concealed in stuffed animals disguised as birthday gifts. The operation was uncovered in early 2023, leading to the seizure of 280,000 fentanyl pills valued at approximately $2.2 million. Chandler pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and will serve 160 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing opioid crisis, with fentanyl implicated in a significant majority of opioid-related deaths in Minnesota. Preliminary data indicates an 8% decrease in drug overdose deaths in the state from 2022 to 2023, marking a potential turning point in the opioid epidemic.