Jury Convicts Minnesota Man in Massive Meth Distribution Scheme

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News)- A federal jury has convicted a Minnesota man in connection with a massive methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. 

Get our free mobile app

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota issued on Tuesday says jurors returned the guilty verdict following a five-day trial in U.S. District Court.

The prosecution achieved guilty verdicts for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

See Also: Man Charged in Major Rochester Drug Trafficking Case Skips Bail

The defendant in the drug trafficking case was 57-year-old Andrew Jerome Bigbee of Richfield. Court documents say he conspired to distribute large quantities of meth from September of 2019 until October of 2021. 

The news release says local, state and federal law enforcement agencies executed three search warrants over the course of the drug distribution investigation and seized the following items at the following locations: 

• Bigbee’s residence in Richfield (searched on September 4, 2019)
  • Over 520 grams of methamphetamine 
  • Numerous indicators of drug trafficking, including a digital scale, more than $8,000 in cash, a money counting machine, drug packaging materials
  • Two firearms
• Bigbee’s RV in Bloomington (searched on October 16, 2020)
  • More than 5,000 grams of meth
  • Drug trafficking paraphernalia, including a vacuum sealer machine, plastic bags, digital scales and money counting machine 
  • Over $300,000 in cash
• Bigbee’s residence in Esko, MN (searched on May 6, 2021) 
  •  8,000 grams of meth
  • Drug trafficking tools, including a digital scale and money counter machine
  • Nearly $18,000 in cash
  • Firearm 

Authorities seized a combined total of nearly 30 pounds of meth and about $326,000 in cash during the investigation. Bigbee’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.