Nearly 10 Pounds of Meth Found During Inver Grove Heights Drug Bust
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 62-year-old man is charged after nearly 10 pounds of meth and multiple firearms were found during an Inver Grove Heights drug investigation earlier this week.
The search happened around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at a home on the 3700 block of 78th Street East.
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Prosecutors charged Danny Gene Zaccardi, of Inver Grove Heights, with first-degree sale of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a controlled substance.
According to the criminal complaint, agents with the Washington County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the residence and located three people inside, including Zaccardi. Authorities say a woman exited from a downstairs bedroom while Zaccardi was found in a nearby basement landing area.
Investigators searched the downstairs bedroom and said motor vehicle registration documents and a cellphone linked Zaccardi to the room. Agents reported finding suspected meth packaged in numerous baggies inside the closet, under the bed, on the floor and scattered throughout the room. Authorities say the suspected drugs weighed about 4,490 grams—or approximately 9.89 pounds—and they field-tested positive for meth.
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Agents also searched the basement living area and reported finding a bag behind a couch that contained two firearms, identified as a Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun and a Sig Sauer P232 .380-caliber handgun. Investigators say the bag also contained another substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine weighing about 402 grams, or roughly 14 ounces.
According to the complaint, Zaccardi told investigators the bedroom containing the nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine was his and said he shared it with the woman. The other man inside the home reportedly told investigators he was unaware meth was stored in Zaccardi’s room.
Both charges carry potential penalties of up to 40 years in prison and fines up to $1 million if convicted. Zaccardi made an initial court appearance Thursday where bail was set at $40,000 with conditions including remaining law-abiding and not possessing drugs or firearms. He remains in custody, with a next court appearance set for March 4.
