Three Charged in Itasca County Heroin Bust

Three men have been arrested and charged in connection to a drug investigation in Itasca County. 

30-year-old Dwayne Jones Jr., of Detroit, 20-year-old Joshua Hunter, of Grand Rapids, and 28-year-old Nicholas Blackbear have all been charged with felony First Degree Conspiracy to Commit Controlled Substance Crime. 

For the last two months, police were investigating Jones providing heroin to Blackbear . On March 14, authorities were notified that Jones and Blackbear were traveling to Itasca County with around 100 grams of heroin. 

Authorities located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.  Police searched the car and recovered a backpack in the trunk containing around 134 grams of heroin.  

Jones told police he would make the trip from Detroit to Itasca County about 8 times over the last year and a half to sell heroin. 

According to the criminal complaint, Blackbear and Hunter were each promised heroin for giving Jones a ride and a place to stay in Itasca County. 

Blackbear has a lengthy criminal record including a conviction of receiving stolen property and Giving a false name to police.  

Hunter was convicted on theft charges in 2015. 

Bail for Hunter was set at $100,000 without conditions, or $50,000 with conditions. 

Bail was set for Jones at $500,000 without conditions, or $250,000 with conditions. 

Blackbear will appear in court on March 16.