Thread: Meth sting leads to 15 arrests

http://www.echopress.com/article.cfm?Article_ID=35451

Meth sting leads to 15 arrests

Celeste Beam, Staff Reporter
10/12/2005


Fifteen people in central Minnesota have been arrested in what authorities are calling one of the largest methamphetamine investigations in the state to date.

On Tuesday, October 4 investigators from the Central Minnesota Drug Task Force, which dubbed the investigation “Operation Ice Storm,� executed warrants at six residences in the Melrose area and three search warrants at local banks.

More than 50 officers from 14 additional law enforcement agencies assisted in Operation Ice Storm. This was the second phase of the nearly one-year investigation.

About 16 pounds of methamphetamine, which has an estimated street value of close to $716,000, was recovered during the investigation. In addition, an estimated two and a half ounces of cocaine, which has a street value of $112,000, was recovered.

Eight of the suspects are from Melrose, one is from Villard, one is from St. Cloud, two are from Cold Spring and three are from the state of Washington, according to a report from the Todd and Stearns County Sheriff’s Offices.

The suspects who were arrested during the investigation are as follows, according to the report:

äRaul Martinez Lopez, 40, Melrose.

äJose Salud Botello Garcia, 21, Melrose.

äMiguel Reyes Contreras, 36, Melrose.

äJose Anthony Serna, 31, Melrose.

äAntonio Morelas Chavez, 28, Melrose.

äEmilio Sandoval-Jacobo, 32, Melrose.

äVictor Manuel Perez-Sandoval, Melrose.

äJose Luis Alfaro Chia, 31, Melrose.

Silvino Rodriguez Arlas, 40, Villard.

äRicardo Medoza Ramirez, 43, St. Cloud.

äJuan Manual Zavala, 34, Cold Spring.

äJose Antonio Zavala, 20, Cold Spring.

äJesus Valcenia Jimenez, Washington.

äJose Rojas Baez, Washington.

äAntonio Rojas-Marmolejo, Washington.

The suspects are a mix of legal and illegal Mexican immigrants, according to authorities. They either have been or are continuing to be charged in both state and federal courts with various drug-related charges.

Several other investigations have been initiated from the information gathered during Operation Ice Storm, according to authorities. Those investigations are continuing.

The Central Minnesota Drug Task Force is made up of investigators from several counties, including Todd, Stearns, Benton, Morrison and the city of St. Cloud. The task force was formed in 1987 and conducts investigations involving controlled substance crimes throughout central Minnesota.

Just some of George Bush's "good people coming acrosss to put food on the table".