Andrew Benvie, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Wisconsin 2025

Madison, WI - A Minnesota man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation that spanned across state lines.

Andrew Benvie, 43, of Frazee, Minnesota, was found guilty of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution. On February 11, 2025, Superior Police Department officers responded to a call about an intoxicated driver and discovered Benvie in his car at a local gas station. Officers searched the vehicle and found approximately 270 grams of methamphetamine and 27 grams of fentanyl pre-packaged for distribution. A handgun was also discovered between the driver's seat and center console.

The discovery was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, and the Superior Police Department. Benvie's prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson classified Benvie's armed drug trafficking as very serious misconduct. The seriousness of Benvie's misconduct, coupled with his aggravated criminal history, led Judge Peterson to the 8-year sentence.

The charge against Benvie was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, and the Superior Police Department. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force is comprised of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak prosecuted this case.

Benvie's sentence is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, achieving the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Defendant: Andrew Benvie, 43, Frazee, Minnesota.

Criminal Charges: Possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution.

City and State: Madison, Wisconsin.

Exact Date: February 11, 2025.

Sentence: 8 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/minnesota-man-sentenced-8-years-methamphetamine-trafficking