Mexican Cartel-Backed Drug Dealers Busted In Quiet Minnesota Towns

NEW PRAGUE, MN — A Mexican cartel-backed drug ring was operating out of the small Minnesota town of New Prague and other local cities, federal authorities say, funneling meth and fentanyl across the state in a scheme tied to the violent Sureños gang.

The Sureños are a Southern California-based street gang with ties to Mexican drug cartels, according to prosecutors.

Now, five men are facing federal charges after a sweeping investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

"The Sureños and other drug cartels are dangerous criminal organizations that are fueling the drug crisis in America," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

"Cartel-backed drug dealers are on notice. Do not bring your poison to Minnesota. If you do, you will see federal charges and federal prison time."

Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 32, a Mexican national residing in New Prague, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Juan Martin Elvira, Jr., 36, of Rochester, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Edward Gonzalez, 29, of Hastings is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Eric Anthony Rodriguez, 46, of St. Paul, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

One other member of the conspiracy remains at large and is pending arrest, prosecutors said.

The men worked together to move large amounts of meth and fentanyl across Minnesota, in a drug ring led by Diaz-Aguilar, according to prosecutors.

Over the course of several months, agents seized significant quantities of drugs from people tied to the operation. Investigators believe the group was supplied by one or more Mexican cartels with ties to international trafficking networks.

The case stems from a DEA investigation and falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Justice Department effort aimed at dismantling drug cartels, targeting transnational criminal networks, and protecting communities from violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael B. Coburn is leading the prosecution.