ST. PAUL, Minn. – Joel Casas-Santiago, 46, and Guillermo Mercado-Chaparro, 44, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Mercado-Chaparro faces an additional charge of illegal reentry by a removed alien, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Court documents reveal that an undercover officer purchased a pound of methamphetamine from Mercado-Chaparro, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma during the transaction. Subsequent surveillance indicated that Mercado-Chaparro was conducting suspected drug deals in south Minneapolis.
Days later, police observed Mercado-Chaparro transferring two large garbage bags from the Tacoma to a Jeep Wrangler. After stopping the Jeep, officers ordered Casas-Santiago and Mercado-Chaparro out of the vehicle. A drug-sniffing dog detected drugs in the Jeep, leading to the discovery of over 250 pounds of methamphetamine in garbage bags and a cooler.
Both men were arrested, and police obtained a warrant to search the Tacoma, where they found over 630 pounds of methamphetamine in the truck bed.
In total, nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine were seized with intent to distribute.
“This isn’t just another drug bust—it’s one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Minnesota history,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “A 900-pound haul like this doesn’t just show intent to distribute. It shows intent to poison entire communities. We will not let Minnesota become a distribution hub for cartel-scale operations. This prosecution is just the beginning.”
The case is part of Operation Take Back America and was investigated by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter and Campbell Warner are handling prosecution duties.
