900 pounds of Meth was seized by the FBI in Tim Walz’ Minnesota – Guillermo Mercado Chaparro, and Joel Casas-Santiago were arrested – as part of bigger Mexican Drug Cartel investigation
Experts have highlighted Minnesota’s role as a cartel hub due to its sanctuary city status, transportation corridors and growing meth demand.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced that the FBI seized the load worth up to $25 million in two different traffic stops in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, specifically involving South Minneapolis – which is Ilhan Omar’s district.
The take down is part of a bigger operation targeting drug trafficking rings – that are most likely being run by international organizations.
Chaparro faces two counts of first-degree drug sale, while Casas-Santiago faces one count.
The arrests took place after an undercover officer purchased one pound of methamphetamine from Chaparro, then conducted surveillance which led to the larger seizure.
The 900-pounds is similar to the June 3rd seizure from a Burnsville storage unit, which triggered raids across eight Twin Cities locations.
That operation uncovered gold-plated guns and “Scarface” imagery, suggesting cartel involvement.
The July 8 seizure may be an extension of this ongoing investigation into a Mexican Cartel drug trafficking ring, likely linked to the Sinaloa or CJNG cartels.
