Fifth Defendant Convicted in Statewide Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

ST. PAUL - Eric Anthony Rodriguez, age 47, was found guilty in U.S. District Court for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Rodriguez is the fifth defendant convicted as part of the scheme. Defendants Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 33, Juan Martin Elvira, Jr., 36, Edward Gonzalez, 30, and Bruce Michael Orton, 44, all previously pled guilty.

According to court documents, the defendant conspired with other co-defendants to acquire and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine. Lead and organized by Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, the "Diaz-Aguilar Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO)" operated and distributed methamphetamine throughout Minnesota from April 2024 to March 2025. The Diaz-Aguilar DTO orchestrated large shipments of methamphetamine from outside the state, sometimes hundreds of pounds at a time, and distributed methamphetamine in northern, southern, and central Minnesota. During a nearly year-long investigation, law enforcement seized approximately sixty pounds of methamphetamine, 1,500 fentanyl pills, and more than $20,000 in U.S. Currency from various individuals associated with the Diaz-Aguilar-DTO. Agents also executed search warrants at stash houses in Columbia Heights, Hastings, and Rochester, Minnesota. Officers seized three pounds of methamphetamine from Eric Rodriguez in a coordinated traffic stop in November 2025, and evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Rodriguez received dozens of additional pounds of methamphetamine for distribution. Additional evidence showed that the Diaz-Aguilar DTO was affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel, a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO).

Rodriguez was found guilty after a 6-day jury trial before Judge Susan R. Nelson.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Minnesota State Patrol, Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Chisago County Sheriff's Office, East Central Minnesota Drug Task Force, Hastings Police Department, Rochester Police Department, Cannon River Drug Task Force, and the New Prague Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raphael B. Coburn and William C. Mattessich.