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St Paul (KROC AM News) -  Four more people who were part of what authorities say was a large Minnesota methamphetamine distribution operation have been sentenced.

The US Attorney’s Office in St Paul made the announcement Thursday.

The investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration and several law enforcement agencies from southeast Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

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According to court documents, between March 2020 through at least April 2020, those charged in the case “were involved in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation.”

Officers made a traffic stop on April 14, 2020, near Faribault. In the vehicle were 33-year-old Katherine Byrd Campbell of Rochester and 40-year-old Lucas Jay Madison of St Paul. They were returning to Minnesota from Phoenix and a search of the vehicle turned up 23 pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities say the meth “was intended for delivery to multiple co-conspirators in the Twin Cities and surrounding metropolitan area.”

That same day, law enforcement conducted multiple search warrants, including apartments in Montrose and St. Paul and Madison’s car detailing business in Bloomington. Investigators say that’s where the suspects “conducted their operations.”

As a result of these searches, law enforcement agents recovered more than $100,000 in U.S. currency, more than 780 grams of methamphetamine, three handguns, multiple digital scales, THC cartridges, multiple cell phones, and other drug paraphernalia.

Campbell was sentenced this week to time served and placed on probation for 5 years. Also sentenced this week were 41-year-old Brandon Swanson of Crystal, who was given a 144 months prison term. 40-year-old Jared Merta of Montrose was sentenced to 170 months and 46-year-old Wayde Salwei of Minnetonka was given a 132 month prison term.

Madison and 53-year-old Mark Schorn of Montrose were sentenced earlier. Madison was given a 235-month prison sentence. Schorn was sentenced to 180 months.

Minnesota agencies involved in the case included the Anoka Hennepin Drug Task Force, the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offender Task Force, the Southeast Minnesota Gang and Drug Task Force, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Edina Police Department.

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LOOK: Olmsted County’s Highlighted Warrants of the Week

This week, just the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office shared warrants. They are selected by each office and do not necessarily represent "most wanted" in either county.

If you see any of these people, do not approach or attempt to apprehend them. Instead, in Olmsted County, during weekdays call 507-328-6830. After 5 PM and on weekends, call 507-328-6800. In Goodhue County, call 651-358-3155.

As always, in an emergency, call 911.

The goal from both offices is to create awareness so these individuals can be found.

This gallery is of individuals wanted as of August 25, 2021. If you are viewing this gallery at any time after that date, the warrants listed could be settled.

 

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