Apple Valley Resident Faces Six Felony Drug Charges Following Large-Scale Drug Seizure at Apple Valley Townhouse
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Published: February 13th, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MN — An Apple Valley man is facing six felony first-degree drug charges after a controlled delivery operation led investigators to seize nearly two kilograms of cocaine, additional narcotics, two handguns, and more than $14,000 in cash from a townhouse residence earlier this week.
Peter Anhnhat Ta, 28, was charged on Friday, February 13th, 2026, in Dakota County District Court with multiple counts of first-degree controlled substance crime involving the sale and possession of cocaine and methamphetamine. Several of the charges include firearm-related sentencing enhancements, which significantly increase potential prison exposure.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began on February 10, 2026, when the United States Postal Service identified a suspicious package traveling from California to Ta’s residence on the 15800 block of Elmhurst Lane in Apple Valley. Postal inspectors obtained a search warrant for the package and discovered approximately 964 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Surveillance and Controlled Delivery
Investigators coordinated with the Dakota County Drug Task Force to arrange a controlled delivery of the package on February 11th. Before the delivery, agents removed most of the cocaine and replaced it with dummy weight, leaving approximately 110 grams of cocaine inside the parcel. The tactic allows law enforcement to confirm possession while minimizing the risk of large quantities of narcotics entering circulation. On the afternoon of February 11th, agents conducting surveillance observed Ta exit his townhouse and drive to a centralized mailbox building serving the complex. He retrieved the package and left the area. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop shortly after.
During a search of Ta’s vehicle, agents located the unopened package along with additional suspected cocaine already inside the vehicle. According to the complaint, a paper bag on the front seat contained approximately 56.06 grams of cocaine, and a small baggie in the center console contained roughly 1 gram. Investigators also located Ta’s permit to carry a firearm inside the vehicle. Because the mailed package had not yet been opened, authorities allege the cocaine found in the vehicle was already in Ta’s possession prior to retrieving the shipment.
Agents then executed a search warrant at the residence using a key recovered from Ta’s vehicle. No other individuals were found inside the townhouse during the search. What investigators say they found is the basis for the most serious charges.
Search of the Residence: Large-Scale Seizure
In a suitcase located in the living room, agents discovered five full and partial “bricks” of cocaine weighing approximately 1,923.72 grams — nearly 1.9 kilograms. An additional 83.9 grams of cocaine was found in a separate bag. When combined with the cocaine found in the vehicle and the delivered package, the total amount seized exceeded two kilograms. Under Minnesota law, possession or sale of 100 grams or more of cocaine qualifies for first-degree charges, meaning the alleged quantity was nearly 20 times the statutory threshold.
Investigators also recovered significant quantities of other controlled substances from the residence. These included approximately 55.18 grams of methamphetamine, along with a gray substance weighing 50.57 grams that also field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Additionally, agents seized approximately 2,761.59 grams, about six pounds, of marijuana, 178.79 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and 4.84 grams of LSD.
The complaint describes numerous items consistent with drug distribution rather than personal use. Investigators located digital scales, a vacuum sealer, latex gloves, empty plastic baggies, a suspected drug ledger, and a money counter. Authorities also recovered $14,718 in U.S. currency from inside the residence.
Text Message Allegedly Suggests Ongoing Sales
While securing Ta’s cellphone, an investigator reportedly observed a text message displayed on the home screen that read: “the qp asap and ill have another order 2 zip within the next 2 weeks.” According to the complaint, “QP” is commonly used slang for a quarter pound, and “zip” refers to an ounce. Prosecutors cite the message as further evidence of ongoing drug distribution activity.
Firearms and Sentencing Enhancements
Two firearms were also recovered during the search: a Glock G23 pistol and a Glock G19 pistol located in a bedroom nightstand, along with ammunition found elsewhere in the home. Under Minnesota law, possession of firearms during certain drug crimes can trigger enhanced penalties. Prosecutors argue that the presence of firearms increases the risk associated with the alleged drug trafficking operation.
Charges and Potential Sentencing
Ta is charged with six felony counts, including first-degree controlled substance crime for both sale and possession involving 100 grams or more, as well as additional first-degree sale and possession charges tied to 17-gram and 50-gram statutory thresholds with firearm enhancements. If convicted on the most serious count, Ta faces a mandatory prison sentence of at least 65 months that cannot be waived. The maximum penalties for the charges range up to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.
Count I
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Sale
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (100+ grams or 500+ dosage units)
Penalty: 65 months–40 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Mandatory minimum prison sentence upon conviction
Count II
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Possession
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (100+ grams or 500+ dosage units)
Penalty: 65 months–40 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Count III
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Sale
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (17+ grams)
Firearm enhancement alleged
Penalty: 3–30 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Count IV
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Possession
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (50+ grams)
Firearm enhancement alleged
Penalty: 3–30 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Count V
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Sale
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (17+ grams)
Firearm enhancement alleged
Penalty: 3–30 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Count VI
First-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Possession
Cocaine/Methamphetamine (50+ grams)
Firearm enhancement alleged
Penalty: 3–30 years prison and/or $300,000–$1,000,000 fine
Prosecutors are requesting that bail be set at $200,000 without conditions or $150,000 with conditions. Those conditions include not leaving Minnesota without court approval, participating in pretrial release, not possessing firearms or controlled substances, undergoing random chemical testing, remaining law-abiding, appearing at all court hearings, and keeping the court informed of his current address. Ta has been deemed ineligible for Drug Court or diversion programs.
The investigation was conducted by the Dakota County Drug Task Force and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, working in coordination with federal postal inspectors.
Ta is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The case remains open in Dakota County. Limitless Media News will provide updates as more information is made available.
Written by: Will Wight
