Man Charged for 778 grams of Cocaine, was out on Bond in Separate Drug Case
A LSVOTF search warrant seized 778 grams, and arrested a 24-year-old
DULUTH, Minn. – A man who was out on bond for allegedly possessing 730 grams of cocaine back in June, was arrested again last Tuesday for another substantial drug charge.
The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force (LSVOTF) seized 778 grams of cocaine when executing a search warrant at 2325 West 7th St in Duluth on Tuesday.
The search and resulting arrest of 24-year-old Joseph Faria on charges of first-degree possession and sale of drugs were the culmination of a months-long investigation by the task force into Faria’s alleged dealing activities.
Faria was already facing similar drug dealing, for a 2024 arrest in Douglas County. Wisconsin authorities in that case allege Faria was found to have 730 grams of cocaine and over $140,000 in cash. Members of the task force began investigating Faria after he posted bond in that case in November.
Court records show that two confidential informants told police that Faria was utilizing the West 7th Street property as a “base (for) his dealing operations.” The informants allegedly made multiple controlled buys from Faria, on behalf of law enforcement.
During their investigation, the LSVOTF obtained warrants authorizing them to track Faria’s cell phone location data, monitor his Snapchat, and even attach a GPS tracking device to his vehicle. Faria was tracked making a trip to the Milwaukee area on January 3rd and returning on January 6th.
According to court documents, one of the informants performed a controlled buy after Faria had returned to Duluth. Shortly after, authorities obtained a search warrant for the West 7th Street residence, Faria’s Jeep Cherokee, and his girlfriend’s vehicle.
The task force executed their search on January 7th, finding 2.7 grams of cocaine on Faria’s person, and a total of 778 grams on the property. Faria is currently in custody at the St. Louis County Jail and could face a sentence of 70 years in prison if convicted of the charges in Minnesota.
