Over 100 pounds of methamphetamine seized in Shoreview, Inver Grove Heights man arrested

More than 100 pounds of methamphetamine and other narcotics were found in a Shoreview apartment and a man was arrested.

According to the complaint, 32-year-old Omar Demacia Ruiz Penaloza, from Inver Grove Heights, was located inside the apartment and arrested. He has been charged in Ramsey County District Court with related controlled substance possession and sales charges. The man faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison and/or up to $1 million.

According to the Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force, on Friday, members executed a search warrant at an apartment. The search warrant stemmed from a months-long narcotics investigation, dating back to June 2019, according to a criminal complaint. 

During the search, authorities located a large quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine inside the residence, with help from a K9 officer.

In total, 111 pounds of methamphetamine and 3.5 pounds of cocaine were recovered. If sold as it was packaged, the drugs would have a street value in excess of $615,000, according to the news release.

Police subsequently executed a search warrant at Ruis Penaloza's residence in Inver Grove Heights, where they recovered the cell phone that was associated with much of the tracking investigation leading to arrest.

Ruiz Penaloza made his first court appearance Tuesday morning.

The Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force was assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Ramsey County Violent Crimes Enforcement Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration.