MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – After Manitowoc authorities found nineteen pounds of meth in a series of busts this month, two individuals are now behind bars.
Manitowoc County sheriff’s officials say they started a joint investigation with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in April.
About two pounds of meth were purchased by undercover agents in Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties.
Homes in Sheboygan that were used as meeting locations for meth deals and where large amounts of meth were stored was later found by investigators.
Investigators raided homes on S.16th Street and in the 1300 block of Virginia Avenue in Sheboygan in early May.
There, a 25-year-old Sheboygan man was arrested after they found a total of 17 pounds of meth.
It was determined in the investigation that a 25-year-old man from Nebraska was the source of the meth.
Investigators conducted surveillance on that man in Sheboygan on May 14 and undercover agents arranged to meet him in Manitowoc to collect proceeds from the meth.
In Manitowoc County, the man was pulled over and arrested on Interstate 43.
Investigators determined that the pair brought about thirty-six total pounds of meth to Wisconsin.
Including the nineteen pounds of meth investigators seized, the total street value of the drug was estimated at $1.3 million.
Both men have made initial appearances in court, while only one of the men, Porfirio Meji-Aneri, has been formally charged.
He faces one count of conspiracy to commit distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
