2 men charged with having staggering amount of meth in their vehicles in Minneapolis

Two men, Guillermo Mercado Chaparro and Joel Casas-Santiago, have been charged with first-degree drug trafficking after nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine were seized in Minneapolis, in a significant operation targeting Mexican drug cartels. The drugs were found concealed in large metal spools in a Burnsville storage unit, leading to further investigations across the metro area. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty remarked on the potential devastation such a large quantity of meth could have caused in the community. The operation, praised by Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, underscores the ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking rings in the Upper Midwest. Both suspects, who are associated with larger drug sales organizations in Mexico, face bail set at $2 million and have upcoming court hearings.

The undercover operation included a prior transaction where an officer purchased meth from Chaparro, leading to the tracking and eventual seizure of drugs from their vehicles. This incident reflects the rising prevalence of meth in Minnesota, where prices have decreased, increasing availability. Authorities continue to combat the influx of illicit drugs that threaten public safety.