Grimy Times Exclusive: Minnesota Man Charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking

MINNEAPOLIS—A 25-year-old man has been charged with conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of the highly addictive and dangerous drug methamphetamine in Minnesota.

According to federal court documents, Jose Alfredo Varela-Meraz was indicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that from the fall of 2009 through April 20, 2011, Varela-Meraz conspired with others to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine. It also alleges that on March 25, 2010, Varela-Meraz possessed with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine and a 9-millimeter handgun.

Varela-Meraz is a convicted felon, having previously been convicted in Arizona for possession and use of drug paraphernalia. Federal law prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

On March 25, 2010, Varela-Meraz was observed meeting with another suspect under surveillance in a parked vehicle at a parking lot in Roseville. The vehicle was stopped in Minneapolis, and officers seized approximately 447 grams of methamphetamine under the carpeting by the front passenger seat where Varela-Meraz was sitting.

Police also found 678 additional grams of methamphetamine and a nine-millimeter handgun hidden under the vehicle’s center console. Varela-Meraz is being held without bail and faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the police departments of Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Roseville. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

To learn more about the harmful effects of methamphetamine, visit http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page=48.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.

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