Carver County Sheriff Byron ‘Bud’ Olson announced that on March 10, 2008 members of the Carver County Sheriff’s Office and the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force conducted a narcotics investigation involving drug trafficking in the City of Chanhassen.

They recovered over 3 ounces of powder cocaine with a street value of over $3,300, and arrested two St. Paul, Minnesota men for drug sale and possession.

Officers stopped a vehicle driven by Mathaniel Jude Mendez age, 30 of St. Paul and searched the vehicle in the City of Chanhassen.

The vehicle contained over 85 grams of suspected cocaine. Mendez was arrested for first degree sale and possession of a controlled substance.

The passenger, Jayson Christopher Hicks, age 23, also of St. Paul, was found in possession of a smaller amount of suspected cocaine.
The SWMDTF seized the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.

On March 12, 2008, Mathaniel Mendez was charged in Carver County District Court with first degree sale and possession of a controlled substance, a charge punishable by up to 86 months in prison.

Hicks was released pending formal charges.