ALBERT LEA, Minnesota — Investigators seized more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested three men after an intercepted package led to coordinated searches at three addresses in this southern Minnesota city familiar to many northern Iowa travelers.
The October 9 operation followed an investigation that began in August into alleged interstate methamphetamine trafficking from the southwestern United States to Albert Lea, according to the South Central Drug Investigation Unit.
Authorities also seized more than $3,700 in cash.
Intercepted package leads investigators to three addresses
The investigation gained momentum when the United States Postal Service intercepted a suspicious parcel destined for Albert Lea. Law enforcement determined that it contained presumptive methamphetamine.
Investigators arranged for a representative sample of the suspected drug to be delivered to the parcel’s destination on October 9. After the package was successfully delivered, authorities executed search warrants at:
- 833 Broadway Ave. South.
- 220 Seventh St. East.
- 713 Plainview Lane.
The release did not identify which address received the package or specify how much methamphetamine was recovered at each location.
Three men arrested on suspicion of felony drug crimes
Authorities identified those arrested as Quinten Duane Amos Junior, 45; Kunta Kinte Lee Viverette, 49; and Brandon Lee Moreno, 33, all of Albert Lea.
All three were transported to the Freeborn County Jail following their arrests for alleged controlled-substance felonies.
The announcement did not provide individual charge counts, statutory citations or details about each man’s alleged role. The arrests are not findings of guilt, and the men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Local, county and federal agencies join operation
The South Central Drug Investigation Unit worked with the Postal Service, Albert Lea Police Department, SCDIU SWAT, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Faribault County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities described the operation as an effort to disrupt narcotics trafficking into the area. The investigation remained ongoing when the announcement was released.
NIT has covered separate drug cases involving southern Minnesota residents and northern Iowa, including a Minnesota man accused of attempting to deal methamphetamine in Charles City. The Albert Lea release does not identify an Iowa destination for the drugs seized in this operation.
Featured image: Methamphetamine file photo; not the drugs seized in this operation.