Two Men Charged With Trafficking Drugs in Inver Grove Heights

A pair of Inver Grove Heights men have been arrested and charged with trafficking huge amounts of cocaine. 

Mike Sanchez, 27, and Josue Ivan Ledezma-Lopez, 22, both of Inver Grove Heights, have been charged with two felony counts each of controlled substance crimes in the first degree (sale and possession) in connection with receiving almost 6 pounds of cocaine and 2 pounds of methamphetamine on July 23, 2013, in Inver Grove Heights.

Dakota County attorney James Backstrom said the amount of cocaine seized in this investigation was more than three times the amount of cocaine seized in all of 2012 in Dakota County.

According to charges presented by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office and police reports:

Agents of the Dakota County Drug Task Force received information that Mike Sanchez was involved in the trafficking of large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine directly from Mexico. 

Tuesday, July 23, a confidential informant working with the Dakota County Drug Task Force ordered a large amount of drugs from Sanchez, who agreed to deliver them to Brooklyn Park. Agents saw Sanchez leave his home, place a black backpack into the rear of a Saturn and drive away. 

Sanchez didn't make any stops and was pulled over by a Minnesota State Patrol officer in Golden Valley. When asked where he was going, Sanchez said he was going to Brooklyn Park from Inver Grove Heights, where he is living.

The State Patrol Officer saw a backpack on the floor of the backseat directly behind the driver’s seat. Sanchez said the trooper could search his car. When he opened the bag, he saw a brick-like package wrapped in red tape. This was later tested and was 991 grams of cocaine (approximately 2.2 pounds). Sanchez said it wasn't his backpack.

Later on Tuesday, agents of the Dakota County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at Sanchez’ home in Inver Grove Heights. Josue Ivan Ledezma-Lopez was in the home with more than $1,000, and was arrested. Officers found cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, and more than $22,000 in cash. In total, more than 5.85 pounds of cocaine (93.66 ounces), 2.96 pounds of methamphetamine (47.34 ounces), and 1.1 ounce of marijuana were seized during this investigation. 

 “This case involves significant quantities of illegal drugs. Illegal drug abuse poses a significant threat to public safety,” Backstrom said. “We are pleased that law enforcement was able to remove from the streets such a large quantity of illegal drugs.  The street value of the cocaine is about $120,000 and the meth is valued at about $30,000.”

Sanchez and Ledezma-Lopez made their first appearance in court on Thursday, July 25. Dakota County District Court Judge Mary Theisen set bail in the amount of $500,000 without conditions ($400,000 with conditions). Their next court appearance is 1:30 p.m. Aug. 19 in Hastings.