Published: October 21st 2026.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS - A 38-year-old man is facing two first-degree felony controlled substance charges after authorities allegedly discovered nearly nine pounds of suspected fentanyl and more than $25,000 in cash during a search of a residence in Inver Grove Heights earlier this month.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, Juan Ernesto Garcia-Isiordia has been charged with first-degree controlled substance crime involving the sale of heroin or fentanyl and first-degree controlled substance crime involving possession of heroin or fentanyl. Both charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force into suspected drug-related activity throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
On October 6, 2026, task force agents executed search warrants at multiple locations, including a residential trailer home on Holman Avenue in Inver Grove Heights.
According to the complaint, Garcia-Isiordia was among the targets of the investigation. When SWAT personnel entered the residence to execute the search warrant, officers located Garcia-Isiordia inside a bedroom, while a woman was found in another bedroom.
During a search of the bedroom where Garcia-Isiordia was located, investigators allegedly recovered a significant quantity of suspected fentanyl, along with items commonly associated with drug distribution.
According to court documents, the items recovered included two cellphones, notebooks containing alleged drug-sale ledgers, a digital scale, a .22-caliber Hatsan Factor RC air rifle and approximately $25,315 in U.S. currency.
Investigators also reported discovering several packages containing suspected fentanyl, with individual weights ranging from 11 grams to more than 1,100 grams. Two of the packages were reportedly labeled "Ferra 3" and "Ferra 14."
In total, authorities reported recovering approximately 3,925.8 grams, equivalent to approximately 8.65 pounds, of suspected fentanyl from the residence.
According to the complaint, a sample of the substances recovered tested positive for the presence of fentanyl during a preliminary field test. The sample weighed approximately 506.7 grams.
Garcia-Isiordia is charged with first-degree controlled substance sale involving 10 grams or more, or 40 or more dosage units, of a mixture containing heroin or fentanyl within a 90-day period.
He is also charged with first-degree controlled substance possession involving 25 grams or more, or 100 or more dosage units, of a mixture containing heroin or fentanyl.
The complaint states that Garcia-Isiordia was in custody at another facility at the time the complaint was prepared. Prosecutors requested a complaint warrant due to the nature of the alleged offenses.
The criminal complaint does not specify whether additional individuals will face charges in connection with the investigation.
Garcia-Isiordia is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Dakota County Criminal Complaint