A narcotics investigation led by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration that culminated in the seizure of methamphetamine and cocaine from a duplex in Forest Lake has led to the indictment of four men on federal narcotics charges.Federal officers and Minneapolis police, acting in concert with Forest Lake police and Washington County narcotics officers, executed a search warrant at 1101 SW 10th Ave. on Jan. 23 where three of the arrests were made and narcotics seized.
Arthur Sanchez, 62 of St. Paul; Carlos Villa, 36, and Jorge Leyva, 33, both of Forest Lake; and Hilario Rodriguez, 48, were charged on Wednesday with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the case, narcotics agents were investigating the alleged drug trafficking activities of Sanchez. During the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Sanchezís St. Paul home on Jan. 22.
During the search, officers recovered approximately 3‡ pounds of methamphetamine, approximately $40,000 in cash, a scale and five firearms.
The federal affidavit alleges that narcotics officers later learned that three additional males recently arrived in the Twin Cities from California, one who had driven from California allegedly with a large shipment of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was allegedly being stored at the duplex in Forest Lake rented by Sanchez and Villa.
On Jan. 23, officers executed a search warrant of the Forest Lake duplex.
During the search, officers recovered approximately 6‡ pounds of methamphetamine, some 4‡ pounds of cocaine, $8000 in cash and three firearms.
A white Nissan with California plates was found in the garage of the duplex.
According to Forest Lake police officials, the drug seizure is the largest on record in the city in terms of quantity and street value.
According to Sgt. Patrick Olson of the Washington County Narcotics Unit, the street value of the drugs recovered in Forest Lake and St. Paul would be in excess of $500,000
If convicted, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison on both counts of the indictment. Any sentence would be determined by a judge based on the federal sentencing guidelines.
The case is the result of an investigation by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann Anaya.
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