Ruben Castillo Renteria

In November 2025, a Ramsey County Investigator assigned to the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) was advised by two cooperating arrested individuals that a male named Ruben Castillo RENTERIA ([DOB REDACTED]) was trafficking a large amount of methamphetamine out of his residence at [ADDRESS REDACTED] E, #1 in St. Paul, Ramsey County. During the ensuing investigation, including surveillance, on 01/21/2026 the Investigator saw Esteban Flores CONTRERAS ([DOB REDACTED]) walking out of the rear door of 670 Lawson #1 and get into a tan 2002 Saturn SL1. CONTRERAS had previously been arrested for 1st degree drug possession, was on probation, and had an active arrest warrant for 2nd degree burglary.

The Investigator obtained CONTRERAS’ cell phone number from a law enforcement database and obtained a search warrant to track the phone to aid in CONTRERAS’ apprehension. The Investigator then learned that Burnsville Police stopped CONTRERAS on 01/24/2026 driving the 2002 Saturn. CONTRERAS provided Burnsville police a false name and then fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. Burnsville Police did not pursue but issued a KOPS alert. The Ramsey Investigator checked CONTRERAS’ phone location records which showed that it was pinging to the location of the traffic stop at the time of the stop.

On 01/26/2026, the Investigator found the tan 2002 Saturn parked behind 670 Lawson. In addition, CONTRERAS’ phone was within the ping radius at that address. The Investigator obtained a search warrant for 670 Lawson #1 to search for CONTRERAS, the clothing he was wearing when he fled from police, the keys for the 2002 Saturn, and any documents relating to the vehicle’s ownership. The search warrant was executed on 01/26/2026. RENTERIA was found in a bedroom and admitted that there was a handgun in his bedroom closet.

While clearing the residence, the Investigator saw a baggie containing suspected cocaine in plain view on a cabinet shelf in the living room. The cabinet was large enough for someone to hide in. CONTRERAS was not at the residence; RENTERIA said he drove him to Forest Lake at about 2am. Based on the suspected cocaine being found in plain view, Investigators held the scene and obtained a secondary search warrant for narcotics, firearms, and other items related to drug trafficking at 670 Lawson #1. During the execution of this warrant, evidence found included: 001 - Small baggie of suspected narcotics in living room cabinet 006 - Clear baggie w/smaller baggies containing suspected meth found in living room cabinet 007 - Clear baggie w/smaller baggies containing suspected meth found in living room cabinet 010 - Suspected meth from RC CAR room - found in plain view In addition, Investigators recovered 002 – a Springfield XD.40 cal handgun (serial # XD406878) in bedroom top shelf w/mag 003 – a box of.40 cal ammunition next to item 002 004 - Two loaded Glock.45 cal magazines - in bedroom dresser 005 - Mossberg 100ATR 30.06 rifle w/scope (serial #BA048979) in bedroom closet In total, after preliminary testing, 79.33 grams of Methamphetamine (Items 006, 007, and 010) and 10.97 grams of Cocaine (Item 001) were seized from the residence.