Apr 11, 2007 10:37 am US/Central
Man Charged In Largest Dakota Co. Pot Bust Ever
Hastings, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The seizure represents "the largest amount of marijuana (a street value of over $700,000) ever seized in connection with a criminal prosecution in Dakota County," according to County Attorney James Backstrom. (File)
CBS
A Burnsville, Minn. was charged in connection with a large marijuana smuggling ring attempting to transport hundreds of pounds of marijuana from Arizona.
According to the criminal complaint, a 57-year-old Rosemount, Minn. was arrested in Arizona attempting to transport 350 pounds of marijuana.
The man told authorities he was intending to deliver the stash to Jamie Dalton, 31, and had done so three times previously. He said he had an arrangement with Dalton to pay back the "considerable amount" his son owed Dalton in drug-related debts.
The man agreed to work with law enforcement officials and the Dakota County Drug Task Force in apprehending Dalton. He was allowed to transport the marijuana to Minnesota.
The man contacted Dalton and asked him to pick up the delivery. He arrived, paid the man $2,000, and was apprehended by Drug Task Force agents.
The seizure represents "the largest amount of marijuana (a street value of over $700,000) ever seized in connection with a criminal prosecution in Dakota County," according to County Attorney James Backstrom.
"This appears to have been an illegal drug ring responsible for smuggling large quantities of marijuana into Minnesota for several years," Backstrom said.
Dalton has been charged with two first-degree counts of conspiracy to commit controlled substance crime and an additional count of importing across state borders. He is being held at the Dakota County Jail. Bail has been set at $100,000.
Dalton's next court appearance is scheduled for June 18.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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