Area Drug Bust Puts Four in Prison

Four area men have been convicted in Federal Court for Distribution of Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of Firearms.

48-year-old Karl James Petnz of rural Deerwood, 37-year-old Noel Gutierrez Manzanares and Randy Lee Motzko of Garrison, all pled guilty in Federal Court and will be sentenced at a later date.

41-year-old Robert Garcia of Garrison was recently found guilty of Distribution of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in a Federal trial which concluded February 18th.

During the October operation, agents purchased and confiscated over 2 and a half pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of over $150,000.

The four face sentences from 10 to 40 years in Federal prison.

The drug bust was coordinated among several law enforcement agencies including the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division, MN BCA, ATF, DEA, MN State Patrol, North Central Drug Task Force, Brainerd Police Dept., Baxter Police Dept., and Breezy Point Police Dept.