ST. PAUL, MN — Two men face federal charges after law enforcement seized nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine in what authorities are calling one of the largest drug seizures in Minnesota history, prosecutors announced.

Joel Casas-Santiago, 46, and Guillermo Mercado-Chaparro, 44, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Mercado-Chaparro also faces an additional charge of illegal reentry by a removed alien, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

Court documents state that an undercover officer purchased one pound of meth from Mercado-Chaparro, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma at the time. Surveillance revealed Mercado-Chaparro traveling throughout south Minneapolis conducting suspected drug transactions.

Days later, investigators observed Mercado-Chaparro removing two large garbage bags from the Tacoma and placing them in a nearby Jeep Wrangler. Officers stopped the vehicle and detained both suspects. A drug-sniffing dog indicated the presence of narcotics, and a search of the Jeep uncovered over 250 pounds of meth hidden in garbage bags and a cooler.

Police then executed a search warrant on the Tacoma and found an additional 630 pounds of methamphetamine in the truck bed.

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In total, authorities recovered approximately 900 pounds of methamphetamine.

“This isn’t just another drug bust—it’s one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Minnesota history,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thompson.

Both men remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.

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