Drug Bust- Two Dodge County residents charged after 5 pounds of meth found

Last Friday two Dodge County residents were charged with first-degree drug possession after allegedly being found in possession of 5 pounds of meth. 
According to the complaint on Oct.11 a MN Investigator received information from a DEA Agent that a large quantity of methamphetamine was being shipped out of Kasson, MN to be sold in Minneapolis, MN. The person moving the methamphetamine was Jose Hernandez-Bautista. Law Enforcement conducted surveillance on Hernandez-Bautista’s residence and confirmed the suspected vehicles involved were present. Law Enforcement followed Hernandez-Bautista and another vehicle to Dodge Center, MN. In Dodge Center, the vehicles stopped at a residence in Dodge Center and agents observed Hernandez-Bautista to be driving his red Dodge Ram and observed another male, later identified as Heriberto Aguero Morales, to get in the passenger seat. Agents watched Morales exit a black GMC Terrain. Law Enforcement also observed a female enter the Terrain. Law Enforcement continued to follow the vehicles as they left Dodge County and observed they made no other stops prior to the arrest. 
Minnesota State Patrol conducted a traffic stop on the Terrain and made contact with the two females,
And also noticed there were three young children in the backseat of the car. The females gave the Trooper consent to search the Terrain. In the rear area of the Terrain, the Trooper found six packages of suspected methamphetamine, four 1-pound packages and two half pound packages. These packages tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. 
During the traffic stop, agents noted the Ram had turned around and was heading back towards the Terrain. The Ram was also traffic stopped and Hernandez-Bautista and Morales were interviewed. Hernandez-Bautista stated he knew the 5 pounds of methamphetamine were in the Terrain but stated the drugs were not his. Hernandez-Bautista stated he was just the middleman for the deal. Morales stated the drugs in the Terrain were his and that he knew they were in the Terrain. 
According to court and jail records Hernandez-Bautista posted bail and was released from jail while Morales remains in Steele County Jail.
If convicted of 1st Degree Drug Possession both men can face up to 30 years in prison and a minimum of 65 months. They can also be faced with a fine of 1 million dollars. 
The DCI will continue to follow updates on the story as more details become available.