FARIBAULT, Minn. - Authorities seized more than 170 pounds of methamphetamine is what is believed to be the largest meth bust in Minnesota history.
The investigation, carried out by agents of the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force, began in January of 2018 in southeastern Minnesota. Months of police work led to a home on the 3600 block of Dupont Avenue North, where surveillance yielded enough information to get a search warrant issued.
On Tuesday, September 11, task force members, the Minneapolis Police SWAT team and agents from the Department of Homeland Security executed that warrant.
Five adults and three children were found at the home, along with packages adding up to 170.98 pounds of methamphetamine. Also confiscated were a sawed-off shotgun, more than an ounce of black tar heroin, and several thousands of 'drug cash.'
At current street values, investigators believe the meth stash was worth an estimated $7,750,000.
“Methamphetamine is still big business in Minnesota and Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) bring meth to major metropolitan hubs like Chicago and Minneapolis then break down the product for mid-level dealers," explained Faribault Police Chief Andy Bohlen. "Eventually the drug continues to spread and ends up in all communities across the state."
Four men were arrested and charged in the operation. They are:
- Fernando Ramos Meza, age 33
- Peter Martin, age 34
- Javier Lopez, age 46
- Juan Daniel Valdez Mendoza, age 23
The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force covers Rice and Le Sueur Counties, and consists of agents from the Rice County and Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Offices and the Faribault and Northfield Police Departments.
