Feds announce charges against 15 members of an alleged Mexico-based drug trafficking group

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U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger on Tuesday announced federal charges against 15 members of an alleged drug trafficking group out of Mexico.

He says the group sold thousands of pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine across Minnesota.

In total, over 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine, 30,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, 45 firearms and $2.5 million in drug trafficking proceeds were seized in connection with this group, Luger said.

Steven Bell, the Special Agent in Charge from the Drug Enforcement Administration, added that equals 5.8 million doses of methamphetamine and 217,000 lethal doses of fentanyl. He added that methamphetamine and fentanyl from Mexico are the number one killers of people 18-45 years old.

“This is one of the largest and most prolific drug organizations that has operated in Minnesota,” he said.

Luger said 13 of the 15 suspects are in custody:

Clinton James Ward, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. The continuing criminal enterprise charge is reserved for those who sell significant amounts of illegal narcotics and make substantial income from the sales. That charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.Shawnette Lynn Andreasen, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.Jonathon Beau Bailey, 33, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.Vin Chanry, 37, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Perry John Coyle, 65, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.James Joseph Graczyk, 51, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.Benjamin DeWayne Johnson, 40, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.Joseph Allen Pappenfus, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Breezie Lynn Pena, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.Aaron Michael Teadt, 47, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.Jimmy Thithavong, 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.Peter Charles Watkins, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.Nicole Marie Williams, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. The remaining two suspects will be arrested shortly, Luger added.

Authorities say Ward was the mastermind of the organization. He is a Minnesota native and long-time drug dealer who fled to Mexico in 2019 after being arrested in Vadnais Heights with methamphetamine.

In Mexico, Ward established ties to two notorious drug cartels: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. For five years, authorities say he used his connections to the cartels to transport and sell drugs in Minnesota.

“What makes this investigation so unique is that Ward was able to align himself with two of the most dominant cartels that are flooding America today with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine,” Bell said.

The drugs were transported via shipping containers, private vehicles and semi trailers, Luger said. The shipments were then broken into smaller quantities to be brought to Minnesota.

Ward was arrested by Mexican authorities in March and expelled back to the United States. He was then arrested by U.S. authorities while federal agents worked on the case against his organization.

“In my over five years as a United States attorney, this is one of the most sophisticated and significant drug trafficking organizations we have prosecuted,” Luger said.

Leah Greeves, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Minneapolis, noted that the news is the result of partnerships with federal agencies.

Tuesday’s press conference comes months after federal agencies announced a major drug trafficking ring bust in Duluth, resulting in eight people being indicted.

Watch the press conference in full below.

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Feds announce charges against 15 members of an alleged Mexico-based drug trafficking group

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