A man is facing multiple first-degree drug charges after investigators say he attempted to retrieve a package containing about 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
The package had been intercepted by law enforcement at a UPS sorting facility at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
Authorities allege Michael John Rojas, 55, who has no permanent address, arranged for the shipment to be delivered to a home along Hawthorne Avenue East in Saint Paul on Feb. 20 before fleeing when officers moved in to make an arrest.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators intercepted the package containing roughly 10 pounds of methamphetamine at the facility. Officers removed most of the narcotics but left a smaller quantity — later confirmed to weigh 117.1 grams — inside the parcel for a controlled delivery.
An undercover officer posing as a delivery driver dropped the package at the residence shortly after 1:00 p.m. A neighbor told the undercover officer the resident there had died recently and no one would be there to claim the delivery. Officers then established surveillance on the package.
Investigators say Rojas was seen walking between a nearby residence and a vehicle as officers watched the delivery location. A short time later, another man drove past the address, parked nearby and walked up to the front steps around 2:00 p.m., where he picked up the package and returned to the vehicle. As officers moved in to make arrests, Rojas ran from the area, leading officers on a foot chase through nearby yards.
Court records state Rojas discarded two cell phones while fleeing before he was captured near another residence along Hawthorne Avenue East. Officers recovered both phones.
The second man later told investigators he believed Rojas had arranged the shipment and asked him to retrieve the package. He showed police text messages in which he told Rojas a man who previously lived at the home had died and that a package could be delivered there, sending Rojas the address and last name tied to the residence. Rojas allegedly replied that it did not matter because the package would be addressed to a “rando.” The man said he suspected the package might contain methamphetamine but denied ordering it. Investigators said one of the phones abandoned by Rojas rang when officers called the number linked to the messages.
Rojas denied knowledge of the shipment when questioned and told officers he did not know why he ran, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors charged Rojas with two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance involving methamphetamine. One count alleges possession of 100 grams or more, which carries a potential penalty of up to 40 years in prison, while the second count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Court records show Rojas has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 1990, including criminal sexual conduct, assault and violations related to predatory offender registration.
A judge ordered Rojas held in custody in lieu of $200,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 17.
