186 pounds of meth seized in Cottage Grove home

A Cottage Grove man has been charged after authorities found 186 pounds of meth and an illegal firearm in his home.

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, Jonathan Henry Valencour, 44, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Court documents state that on July 16, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Valencour’s home in Cottage Grove. Officials found about 84.4 kilograms (186 pounds) of methamphetamine in a large trash can.

Authorities also found a firearm with an attached silencer at the home. Valencour has prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Washington Counties and is prohibited from owning guns or ammunition at any time, according to Luger.

Valencour has been ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Cottage Grove Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said that its Drug Task Force has seized over $4.1 million worth of drugs in the last two years.