Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charges two in massive methamphetamine seizure

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has charged two individuals following a law enforcement operation that seized nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine.

Guillermo Mercado Chaparro, 44, was charged with two counts of first-degree drug sales. His co-defendant, Joel Casas-Santiago, 46, was charged with one count of first-degree drug sales. The statutory minimum for each of the above charges is 65 months.

The retail value of the recovered methamphetamine is estimated to be $1.7 million. Neither Mr. Casas-Santiago nor Mr. Mercado Chaparro have local ties to the metro community. Both are associated with larger drug sale organizations in Mexico.

“The amount of illicit drugs recovered in this case is staggering,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “These drugs were on our streets in huge quantities and nearly made it into the hands of our neighbors who struggle with drug use. The damage 900 pounds of methamphetamine could have caused is devastating, all while funding drug sale organizations that prey on our community. We will work to hold these two individuals accountable to protect our community.”

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