Approximately 6 pounds of drugs seized

Published 9:41 am Friday, May 11, 2018

Two individuals were arrested on Thursday after they were allegedly found to be in possession of roughly five pounds of methamphetamine and one pound of cocaine, worth approximately $100,000.

According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Police Department, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, Austin Police Department and Mower County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation after the MSP Airport Police intercepted the drugs, which came from California, at the airport.

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The drugs were delivered to an East Oakland Avenue address, where the individuals allegedly picked up the package.

Police stopped the vehicle and arrested Jean Michael Miranda-Sanchez, 24, of Austin and Rodolfo Alonso Portillo, 31, of Rochester. Both men are being held at the Mower County Jail for felony first-degree drug possession, according to Krueger.

Krueger said an investigator estimated the street value of the drugs, if sold in 1/8 ounce “eight balls,” is $100,000.