25 face federal, state charges in Duluth-area heroin ring

Twenty-five people were arrested on federal and state charges in connection with a heroin ring that distributed the opioid in the Duluth area.

Twelve of those arrested face federal charges for an alleged heroin distribution conspiracy that targeted a Duluth-based heroin trafficking operation, officials said.

U.S. Attorney Gregory G. Brooker announced the 46-count indictment on Thursday after multiple federal and local agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Duluth Police Department participated in the investigation.

Carlos Nashun Coleman, 33, is accused of being the ringleader of the conspiracy that distributed heroin from Chicago to the Twin Cities and throughout the Twin Ports area where the heroin was further distributed through his network of co-conspirators. The indictment accuses the group of distributing at least one kilogram or more of heroine since March 13, 2017, according to a court document. The defendants are expected to make initial appearances this week before Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois in U.S. District Court in Duluth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.