Two individuals from Moorhead, Minnesota, have been found guilty by a federal jury for their involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
The investigation began when law enforcement detected a suspicious package in North Dakota on February 22, 2024. Upon inspection, they discovered over nine pounds of methamphetamine inside. Authorities removed most of the drugs, inserted a tracking device, and sent the package to its intended address in Fargo-Moorhead.
Alberto St. Martin Lopez, Jr., 58, collected the package and brought it to his home. Evidence at trial indicated that he and two associates opened the package. The group quickly dispersed with parts of the evidence. One participant left with the methamphetamine and met another individual involved. Another individual retrieved additional meth from Lopez's property. Lopez himself left with the tracker. They were apprehended with the tracker, extra meth, scales, and drug-related items.
Terri Lee Weideman, 46, an employee at a Fargo property management firm, provided vacant rental unit addresses for the trafficking operation since at least April 2023, facilitating drug shipments from California.
“Transnational criminal organizations continue to pour methamphetamine into Minnesota by various means, including by mail,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “As this case demonstrates, this office, working hand in glove with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue to dedicate resources to stop the flow of methamphetamine into our state.”
The operation led to the seizure of 12 pounds of methamphetamine on February 23, 2023, marking the largest combined meth bust in Clay County, Minnesota.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Moorhead Police Department, among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren O. Roso and Allen A. Slaughter Jr. prosecuted the case.
