By Steve Neavling
A Minnesota man is accused of operating his own cartel-sourced, Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that brought thousands of pounds of methamphetamine to Minnesota.
The operation was so large that federal prosecutors charged Clinton James Ward with the “kingpin statue,” or the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statue.
Ward, along with 14 others, have been charged in a drug trafficking conspiracy case that ultimately resulted in the seizure of more than 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, 30,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 45 firearms, and $2.5 million in drug proceeds.
“Every year, thousands of Minnesotans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids,” U.S. Attorney Luger said in a statement Wednesday. “Today’s indictment disrupts one of the most sophisticated and significant drug trafficking organizations we have prosecuted in my tenure as U.S. Attorney, and I am grateful to the DEA and FBI for their hard work bringing this operation to justice. The Department of Justice would also like to recognize the Mexican authorities for their assistance on this case.”
Ward was arrested in the parking lot of a motel in Minnesota in January 2019 with more than eight pounds of methamphetamine, prosecutors said. He was accused of selling the drugs from his motel room.
Within weeks of his arrest, Ward fled to Jalisco, Mexico, and met up with Mexican and American drug traffickers who all had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to prosecutors.
Ward is charged with operating his own drug trafficking organization and using an existing cartel pipeline to transport large loads of drugs in the U.S.
During the investigation, more than 50 people have been charged in connection to Ward with drug trafficking offenses.
“While many people look for ways to improve and grow their communities, Clinton Ward aligned himself with two Mexican cartels thinking only of the profits lining his pocket,” Steven T. Bell, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Omaha Division, said. “Ward’s organization left a trail of destruction in its wake. This investigation and today’s arrests are the result of exceptional teamwork. Never underestimate the unified strength of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.”
Alvin M. Winston Sr., special agent in charge of the bureau’s Minneapolis Field Office, said drug trafficking fuels “violent crime and endanger the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods.”
“Thanks to the strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies, today’s arrests have disrupted a significant drug trafficking network,” Winston said. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities and bringing those who threaten them to justice.”
The investigation included the DEA, FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Corrections, Minnesota State Patrol, St. Paul Police Department, Mounds View Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
