Minneapolis Man Among 15 Charged in Mexico-Based Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Distributing Meth, Cocaine, and Fentanyl

(KNSI) – A Minneapolis man is one of 15 people charged in a Mexico-based drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

According to court documents, on January 4th, 2019, 45-year-old Clinton Ward of Minneapolis was arrested in the parking lot of a motel in Vadnais Heights with more than eight pounds of methamphetamine that he was selling out of his motel room. Within weeks of his arrest, Ward fled to Jalisco, Mexico, where he met up with Mexican and American drug traffickers who all had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Prosecutors say from January 2019 until his arrest in March 2024, Ward established and operated his own cartel-sourced Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that distributed thousands of pounds of methamphetamine to Minnesota through a network of drug traffickers. Using an existing cartel pipeline, Ward would transport large drug loads into the United States through various means, including concealing shipments in semi trailers crossing the border at various locations. The shipments were later broken down into smaller quantities and transported into Minnesota via private vehicles and semi trailers. Ward was taken into custody by Mexican authorities and returned to the United States to face prosecution.

Throughout the investigation, more than 50 defendants with connections to Ward have been charged with methamphetamine trafficking and other drug trafficking offenses. In total, police seized more than 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, 30,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 45 firearms, and more than $2.5 million in drug proceeds.

Ward is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine.

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