New Prague man indicted on drug charges - DOJ claims he’s connected to Mexican cartel

A federal grand jury recently returned a nine-count indictment against five alleged members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) affiliated with the Sureños, U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced last week.

According to court documents, the defendants allegedly conspired intentionally with each other to acquire and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to a press release. Lead and organized by Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, a New Prague resident, the “Diaz-Aguilar DTO” has been operating and distributing controlled substances throughout Minnesota since at least 2024. During a multi-month investigation, law enforcement seized large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl from various people associated with the Diaz-Aguilar-DTO.

During the investigation, law enforcement determined the alleged Diaz-Aguilar DTO is associated with and supplied by one or more transnational allegedly criminal organizations trafficking narcotics from Mexico.

The following individuals have been indicted for the following crimes:

Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 32, a Mexican national residing in New Prague, Minnesota, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Juan Martin Elvira Jr., 36, of Rochester, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Edward Gonzalez, 29, of Hastings, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Eric Anthony Rodriguez, 46, of St. Paul, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of...

To see more on this story pick up the April 17, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.