A federal drug case described by authorities as one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Minnesota history has taken a major turn.
Guillermo Mercado-Chaparro has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after investigators uncovered nearly 900 pounds of the drug during a sweeping operation last summer.
Undercover Buy Led to Massive Discovery
According to court records, the case began when an undercover officer purchased a pound of meth from Mercado-Chaparro. Surveillance following that transaction revealed he was traveling across south Minneapolis, allegedly conducting multiple suspected drug deals.
Days later, authorities observed him remove two large bags from the bed of his truck and transfer them into a nearby Jeep — a move that ultimately triggered a high-stakes stop by law enforcement.
Traffic Stop Uncovers Hundreds of Pounds
Police stopped the Jeep in St. Paul with Mercado-Chaparro and another man, Joel Casas-Santiago, inside.
A drug-sniffing dog alerted officers to narcotics. A subsequent search of the Jeep uncovered more than 250 pounds of methamphetamine.
Investigators then secured a search warrant for Mercado-Chaparro’s truck. What they found escalated the case dramatically — more than 630 additional pounds of meth stored in the truck bed.
Combined, the seizures totaled nearly 900 pounds, placing the bust among the largest in state history.
What Happens Next?
Mercado-Chaparro now awaits sentencing in federal court. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Meanwhile, Casas-Santiago is expected to appear for a plea hearing on March 24 as the case continues to move through the judicial system.
With nearly half a ton of methamphetamine removed from circulation, officials say the operation marks a significant blow to large-scale drug distribution networks operating in the region.
