Rochester Man Indicted For Alleged Cartel Drug Trafficking

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man is among five people indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a Mexican cartel narcotics trafficking conspiracy.

The Acting US Attorney for Minnesota announced the nine count indictment today after an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of a nationwide initiative named "Operation Take Back America." It alleges the defendants conspired "to acquire and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl."

“The Sureños and other drug cartels are dangerous criminal organizations that are fueling the drug crisis in America,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Cartel-backed drug dealers are on notice. Do not bring your poison to Minnesota. If you do, you will see federal charges and federal prison time.”

According to court documents, 32-year-old Erick Emillio Diaz-Aguilar, who is described as a Mexican national living in New Prague, led and organized the trafficking operation and has been allegedly distributing drugs since at least last year. Prosecutors say the investigation determined that the organization "is associated with and supplied by one or more transnational criminal organizations trafficking narcotics from Mexico."

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The Rochester man named in the indictment was identified as 36-year-old Juan Martin Elvira Junior. A news release says he is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The other men named in the indictment are 29-year-old Edward Gonzalez of Hastings and 46-year-old Eric Anthony Rodriguez of St. Paul. They are also facing federal charges connected to the distribution and possession of methamphetamine.

Federal prosecutors say another person indicted in connection with the alleged conspiracy has yet to be taken into custody.

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