Mexican drug cartel busted in Twin Cities

A coordinated criminal takedown in the Twin Cities Wednesday resulted in the arrest of 27 Mexican drug cartel operatives and the seizure of over 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of cocaine, a pound of marijuana, seven guns, 10 vehicles and approximately $33,000 in U.S. currency.

The arrests and indictments are part of a 21-month national and international investigation dubbed Operation Accelerator, which targeted violent drug distribution cells that are responsible for transporting cocaine and methamphetamine to Mexico and Canada.

Drug smugglers used personal automobiles, commercial bus lines, commercial airlines and private and commercial trucks to bring drugs into Minneapolis and St. Paul, say DEA officials.

The number of individuals arrested and the quantity of drugs seized makes this case one of the most extensive drug enforcement operations for the Twin Cities.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that indictments involving 36 suspects have been unsealed. Of the 36 indictments made public, 21 individuals were charged last week and 15 were charged in December.

Investigators say the the drug distribution cells raked in an estimated $3.5 million per month selling crack cocaine and meth in the Twin Cities area. Drug dealers were sending large amounts of that cash back to Mexico.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said one of his investigators has been working with the DEA task Force for months, and another 30 deputies helped execute eight searches -- seven in St. Paul and one in Canada -- on Wednesday.

"Drug smuggling into the Twin Cities by the Mexican drug cartels has been growing dramatically over the years," said Sheriff Fletcher. "This was a major investigation by the DEA, which involved extensive investigative time. This will have a significant impact on the Mexican drug trade here."

The investigation involved the DEA, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minneapolis Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Northwest Metro Drug Task Force and the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office.

17 of the pieces of crap indicted live in St. Paul, 2 live in Minneapolis, and one each in Apple Valley, White Bear Lake, Willmar, Inver Grove Heights, Shakopee, Vadnais Heights, Roseville, Bloomington, Richfield, Oakdale, Woodbury and Yakima, Washington. The addresses for the five others are unknown.

Nationally, Operation Accelerator has seized $59.1 million in U.S. currency, over 12,00 kilograms of cocaine, over 16,000 pounds of marijuana, over 1,200 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 1.3 million pills of Ecstacy and over 8 kilograms of heroin.

In addition, investigators have seized over $6.5 million in other assets, 149 vehicles, 3 aircrafts, 3 boats and 169 weapons.

Operation Accelerator targeted multiple drug networks, including the Sinaloa Cartel, operating in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.

Related Blackwell report: Mexican drug cartels in U.S. cities

D. Brian Blackwell