Law enforcement officers in Duluth successfully apprehended a fugitive wanted for multiple violent crimes during a coordinated operation on Wednesday, December 3rd. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, working alongside the Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 200 block of West 2nd Street, resulting in the arrest of 20-year-old Kmauri Burnett [web:15]. During the operation, authorities seized three firearms, 60 grams of fentanyl, $1,748 in cash, and additional evidence indicating drug sales activity [web:15]. The arrest occurred without incident, demonstrating the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation in addressing violent crime and drug trafficking in northeastern Minnesota [web:13].
Suspect Faces Serious Criminal Charges Across Multiple States
Burnett was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant while facing additional pending drug and firearms charges related to evidence discovered during the search [web:15]. Atlanta authorities had listed him as one of the city’s “Most Wanted” individuals, with charges including two murders, carjacking, illegal weapon possession, and felony tampering with evidence [web:12]. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed his arrest and noted he was awaiting extradition back to Georgia to face the outstanding murder and carjacking charges [web:11]. On December 16th, Burnett was successfully transferred to the Atlanta Fulton County Georgia Jail to answer for the serious violent crime allegations [web:12]. His extensive criminal history in Atlanta made his apprehension in Duluth a significant breakthrough for law enforcement agencies in both states seeking justice for victims.
Fentanyl Seizure Highlights Ongoing Drug Trafficking Concerns
The 60 grams of fentanyl confiscated during the operation represents a substantial quantity of the deadly synthetic opioid that continues devastating communities nationwide. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, with as little as two milligrams potentially proving lethal depending on individual factors [web:17]. The seizure comes amid ongoing efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking in the Duluth region, where authorities have previously dismantled large-scale distribution networks transporting the drug from Chicago to northeastern Minnesota [web:16]. Law enforcement officials have seized over 890 grams of fentanyl in the Twin Ports area during recent years through various operations including controlled purchases, traffic stops, and search warrants [web:16]. The presence of significant fentanyl quantities in Duluth underscores the persistent challenge facing communities as drug traffickers continue attempting to establish distribution networks in the region.
Multi-Agency Task Force Demonstrates Coordinated Effectiveness
The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force represents a large multi-agency cooperative effort serving all of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin [web:19]. Member organizations include the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, police departments from Duluth, Hibbing, Virginia and Superior, along with federal partners like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Minnesota National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations [web:19]. The task force focuses on investigating violent crimes within member jurisdictions, seizing illegal firearms, fugitive apprehension, and comprehensive enforcement of controlled substance laws [web:19]. Funding comes primarily through grants including the Violent Crime Enforcement Team grant from Minnesota’s Office of Justice Programs, a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Anti-Heroin grant, and Federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area funding [web:19]. This collaborative approach enables law enforcement to pool resources and expertise when targeting dangerous individuals and criminal organizations operating across jurisdictional boundaries.
Community Safety Remains Top Priority For Local Authorities
The successful arrest and seizure operation demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to removing dangerous individuals and illegal drugs from Duluth streets. The three firearms confiscated during the search prevent potential future violence, while removing 60 grams of fentanyl likely prevented numerous overdoses and deaths in the community. Duluth police emphasized the excellent work performed by all agencies involved in safely executing the operation and taking a violent fugitive into custody [web:13]. The case highlights how local law enforcement agencies effectively collaborate with federal partners and task forces from other states to track down individuals wanted for serious crimes regardless of where they attempt to hide. As fentanyl continues claiming lives across Minnesota and the nation, operations like this one play a critical role in disrupting distribution networks and holding traffickers accountable while protecting community members from the lethal consequences of synthetic opioid exposure.
