Rochester Man Sentenced for Social Media Ad That Led to Drug Bust

Rochester, MN ( KROC-AM News )- A Rochester man has avoided prison time for a multi-pound codeine bust that was prompted by a social media advertisement.

Read More: Large Stash of Liquid Codeine Found During Rochester Drug Bust

The criminal complaint says the Rochester Police Department made the drug bust in May of 2023.

The court document indicates the charges stem from an investigation into a social media post advertising the drug was for sale.

The man behind the social media post was identified as

Rochester Man Sentenced in Drug Case Prompted by Social Media Ad

A Rochester Police Department investigator answered the online ad using a law enforcement-created social media account and Nguyen allegedly agreed to sell him a bottle of codeine for $300. That led to the execution of a search warrant.

The search of the residence and a vehicle revealed more than 1200 grams of liquid codeine, nearly 71 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, a large jar of marijuana, and almost $3300 in cash, the complaint says.

Investigators also found a digital scale inside the vehicle, which also contained a paper that listed possible weights and prices, the charges say.

The court document also lists the discovery of empty packaging cartons for codeine bottles as further evidence of drug sales. Several ammunition magazines for handguns were also located in various locations in Nguyen's bedroom, the complaint says.

Nguyen was charged with first-degree drug sales and possession along with a second-degree drug possession count.

He previously entered a guilty plea for the second-degree drug possession count in exchange for the dismissal of the first-degree drug counts, according to the plea agreement. On Monday Nguyen was sentenced to five years probation.