On March 23, two men were arrested and charged with drug distribution after a police raid near downtown Minneapolis. The charges were announced by federal authorities on March 25.
According to media reports, members of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at a luxury apartment located at 111 South Marquette Avenue. During the search, investigators allegedly uncovered two suitcases containing around 64 pounds of methamphetamine, a shoebox containing 3 pounds of heroin and a bag containing unidentified blue pills. They also reportedly discovered two loaded handguns and a significant amount of cash.
As a result of the search, two 22-year-old men living in the apartment were taken into custody and charged with single counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. One of the defendants claimed that he recently moved to Minnesota and was staying with the other defendant. He also claimed he knew his roommate was dealing drugs and had helped him wire money to California and deliver drugs. He further claimed that he did these things as a favor to his roommate and was not paid for his actions.
Federal drug charges often lead to harsh consequences for those who are convicted; drug defendants are routinely sentenced to years in prison and assessed heavy fines. In order to protect their future, it may be prudent for drug defendants to contact a criminal defense attorney for assistance. The attorney might be able to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and work to get the charges dismissed. However, in some cases, it may be advisable to negotiate a plea deal that allows the defendant to plead guilty to reduced charges, which could lead to a more lenient sentence.
Source: FOX 9, “2 men charged in 64-pound meth bust at Minneapolis luxury apartment,” March 26, 2019