Arden Hills Man Indicted for Distributing 12 Pounds of Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 35-year-old Arden Hills man was indicted for distributing approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine. Marcelino Garcia was charged with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that on March 15, 2013, Garcia, also known as Moreno Marcelino Garcia and Marcelino Garcia-Moreno, conspired with others to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine and that Garcia knowingly possessed with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, authorities learned about Garcia during routine narcotics’ investigations in the Twin Cities. On March 15, police arranged a controlled purchase at a store parking lot in Shoreview. Following the transaction, Garcia was arrested, and officers seized six bags containing approximately 5,100 grams of methamphetamine, along with packaging materials.

If convicted, Garcia faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each count. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Twin Cities Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and includes the Minneapolis Police Department. The task force’s mission is to investigate and target the most violent gangs operating in the Twin Cities or those gangs engaged in the large-scale trafficking of illegal drugs. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie E. Allyn.

To learn more about the harmful effects of methamphetamine, visit http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth.html.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.