U.S. Attorney: Twin Cities man and over a dozen others linked to Mexican cartels charged with drug trafficking

A Mexican cartel-linked Minnesota man and over a dozen of his co-conspirators have been charged with trafficking meth and other drugs into the Twin Cities.

Fifteen people have been charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis in a Mexico based drug trafficking conspiracy. The announcement coming from U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger on Tuesday afternoon.

Clinton James Ward has been identified as the kingpin of the Mexico-based trafficking organization in the Twin Cities.

"Ward and his organization made millions of dollars importing deadly narcotics from Mexico to Minnesota," Luger explained.

The group distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl throughout the Twin Cities and other parts of the area according to charges filed.

"Every year, thousands of Minnesotans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including methamphetamine, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids," said Luger. "Today's indictment disrupts one of the most sophisticated and significant drug trafficking organizations we have prosecuted in my tenure as U.S. Attorney, and I am grateful to the DEA and FBI for their hard work bringing this operations to justice. The Department of Justice would also like to recognize the Mexican authorities for their assistance on this case."

According to court documents, over 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine heading for Minnesota was confiscated.

Luger says this is one of the largest and most extensive drug operations ever involving the State of Minnesota