ROCHESTER, Minn. – Most drug raids net quantities measurable in grams or ounces. Not this one. Police made three arrests and confiscated what police identified tentatively as drug contraband in these quantities:

> 15 pounds of marijuana.

> 11-1/2 pounds of cocaine.

> 7 pounds of fentanyl.

> 1 pound of methamphetamine.

Those are rough measurements, give or take a few grams, even ounces. It began when police pulled over Elliot Wilkens of Cannon Falls in southeast Rochester for suspected stolen property. Instead they found evidence of narcotics. That led them to raid a northwest Rochester hotel There they arrested Marquez Melendez, 42, and Coby McKinley, 29, both of Red Wing, carrying bags and coolers to a vehicle. The criminal complaint noted the huge quantities indicated that the drugs were intended for sale. Bail for McKinley’s was set at $250,000, for Melendez at $10,000.

Marquez Melendez of Red Wing.

Coby McKinley of Red Wing.

 

Elliot Wilkens of Cannon Falls.