CPD seizes 266 pounds in Feb. 18 coke bust

The Carrington Police Department (CPD) came into contact with a very large quantity of cocaine during a traffic stop at Casey's General Store Friday morning, February 18.

Approximately 266 pounds of the drug, or 121 kilograms, was confiscated from a 2015 Volvo semi truck driven by Narvir Singh Suri, 38, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The street value of the cocaine seized is valued at $4.8 million dollars.

In a statement released by the CPD and Police Chief Brandon Sola on February 24, "The individual [Suri] that was in possession of it was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to deliver."

Court documents state that Officer Maurice Schlack of the CPD responded to the call at Casey's at 8:41 a.m., where he was allowed to look in Suri's truck and found a total of 121 packages of cocaine, all weighing 2.2 pounds (one kilo) each.

Within toolboxes on the trailer, were several gym bags and boxes, all containing various amounts of "heat-sealed rectangular packages."

According to court documents, Suri has been charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, which is a Class B felony under North Dakota Century Code § 19-03.1-23(1)(a). If convicted, Suri could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine under NDCC statute.

Cocaine is considered a Schedule 2 drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, which includes methamphetamine, oxycodone, Adderall, Ritalin and Vicodin.

Suri appeared via Zoom call for a bond hearing February 22 before Southeast District Court Judge James D. Hovey, and as of press time, was held at the Stutsman County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash, or surety bond.

Suri's preliminary hearing is set for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, in Southeast Judicial District Court, Carrington.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the Carrington Police Department, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Stutsman County Task Force and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The case remains under investigation.

Speaking to the Independent, Sola gave some brief comments on the case.

"[Drugs] do affect and hurt families," he said. "I think that some that would say they aren't a big deal don't quite see the big picture."

Sola thanked the NDHP, SCTF and DEA for their hard work to assist in the case.

"All the supporting agencies worked together to come and bring this to a successful investigation," he said.