WCCO4 CBS News, Minnesota local
written by Staff
Friday February 19, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — An Apple Valley man has been charged in a drug bust this week that involved large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
Alphonse Latrese Herron Jr., 34, faces three first-degree counts of aggravated controlled substance crime.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says that investigators arranged for Herron to sell five pounds of meth to an undercover agent. Investigators observed Herron going to a storage facility after making the arrangement.
After Herron made the deal with the agent, he was stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol. His vehicle, home and the storage unit were searched.
In the storage unit, investigators located a safe that was found to contain about one pound of suspected cocaine, nine points of methamphetamine, three pounds of fentanyl, over 6,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl, a handgun and about $140,000 in cash.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Herron admitted to selling meth, saying that he gets it from California.
“This was one of the largest seizures of illegal drugs in Dakota County’s history,” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. “We believe this is part of a large illegal drug smuggling operation from California. This seizure demonstrates the continuing problem of methamphetamine and fentanyl use in our community. Illegal drug use and distribution endangers public safety and all too often claims lives.”
Bail has been set at $1 million without conditions. However, as the Department of Corrections has a hold on Herron due to a 2017 conviction, even if he posted bail he would return to prison.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.
Apple Valley man charged in drug smuggling operation
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KSTP5 ABC News, Minnesota local
written by Josh Skluzacek
Friday February 19, 2021
An Apple Valley man has been charged in connection to what officials called one of the largest drug busts in Dakota County history.
The Dakota County Attorney's Office said 34-year-old Alphonse Latrese Herron, Jr., is charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime.
A criminal complaint states agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension made plans to buy five pounds of methamphetamine from Herron through a confidential informant on Thursday.
An undercover agent drove the informant to the meeting spot in Apple Valley while other agents conducted surveillance on Herron, the complaint states. Agents saw Herron leave his home, drive to a storage unit and then head to the prearranged meeting spot.
When Herron arrived, he parked near the vehicle the informant was in. The complaint states the informant then got out of the vehicle, talked to Herron and gave him $5,000 in cash, packaged to look like $20,000, which was the prearranged price. Herron then gave the informant five pounds of suspected meth and left, the complaint states.
Minnesota State Patrol troopers stopped Herron a short distance away. During a search of Herron and his vehicle, the complaint states authorities found $5,000 in cash and two cellphones. His home was also searched, and agents found electric money counters, suspected marijuana and around $10,000 in cash.
A search warrant was also executed at his storage unit, and agents found:
- About one pound of suspected cocaine,
- Nine pounds of meth,
- Three pounds of fentanyl,
- About 6,300 pressed pills suspected to contain fentanyl,
- A pistol,
- Around $140,000 in cash.
The drugs are still undergoing testing at the BCA.
The complaint states Herron admitted to selling a lot of meth, adding that he buys it from California. Authorities said they believe it's part of a large illegal drug smuggling operation from California.
Herron made his first court appearance on Friday and had his bail set at $1 million without conditions. The attorney's office said the Department of Corrections also has a hold on Herron based on a 2017 conviction in Hennepin County, meaning even if he posted bail, he'd still go to prison for the time being.
His next court appearance is set for March 10.
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