ICE & FBI Strike Twin Cities’ Shadow Empire — 47 Arrests, $75M Seized, and a Narcotics Pipeline Exposed

In a bold and calculated operation, ICE and the FBI have taken down one of the most sophisticated MS-13 networks in the Midwest, with an early-morning sweep across the Twin Cities. The operation, dubbed Frozen Crown, has already led to 47 arrests and the seizure of $75 million in assets, crippling a transnational criminal empire that had transformed parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas into a major narcotics pipeline.

Federal agents say the cartel operated with military precision, infiltrating local institutions, communities, and neighborhoods while managing to stay largely under the radar. The sweep revealed that MS-13 had deeply embedded itself into several aspects of the region’s economy and infrastructure, using a blend of legitimate businesses and street-level operations to facilitate the trafficking of illegal drugs across the U.S. heartland.

The Kingpin: Carlos Ventura and His Empire

At the center of this sprawling operation was Carlos Ventura, a well-known crime lord who managed a vast distribution network stretching across the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Ventura’s empire, which had been operating in plain sight, included a series of drug trafficking hubs, money laundering operations, and sophisticated distribution systems that moved millions of dollars’ worth of drugs every week.

While Ventura maintained a low profile, law enforcement agencies pieced together his central role in overseeing operations that trafficked fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin across the upper Midwest. Authorities describe him as a ruthless and calculating figure who used intimidation, violence, and corruption to maintain control over both his criminal associates and the areas in which he operated.

The operation not only led to Ventura’s arrest but also revealed how deeply the cartel had infiltrated various sectors, including construction, real estate, and even local government agencies. This allowed the cartel to launder money and establish a front for its illicit activities, making it incredibly difficult for authorities to uncover the scale of their operations until recently.

The Narcotics Haul: Fentanyl, Cocaine, Meth, and Heroin

The federal takedown revealed a vast drug network that had been supplying massive quantities of illicit narcotics across multiple states. Federal agents seized a staggering 1.4 million fentanyl pills, a highly potent drug responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year. Alongside the fentanyl, authorities also confiscated:

• 200 kilograms of cocaine

• 130 kilograms of methamphetamine

• 83 kilograms of heroin

These drugs, which were believed to be destined for distribution in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Dakotas, represented a massive blow to the MS-13 cartel, which has historically been known for its dominance in the drug trade across the U.S.

The seizure of such large quantities of drugs also reveals the extent of the cartel’s presence in the region, highlighting how the Twin Cities had become a narcotics superhighway for drugs entering the Midwest. Authorities believe that these drugs were likely to be distributed through both street-level dealers and more sophisticated trafficking networks that stretched all the way to the East Coast.

The Federal Takedown: Precision and Coordination

The operation’s success can be attributed to its precision and coordination. Over several months, federal agents gathered intelligence from multiple sources, including undercover operations, wiretaps, and surveillance. This allowed them to develop a detailed map of the cartel’s operations, from the distribution hubs in the Twin Cities to the money-laundering schemes that moved illicit funds through the region.

According to FBI Special Agent John Davis, who led the operation, the takedown was as much about disrupting a sophisticated criminal network as it was about sending a message. “This operation wasn’t just about seizing drugs; it was about dismantling a deeply embedded network that had been running for years. MS-13 has long been a threat in this region, and today, we’ve made it clear that we will continue to take down these criminal empires.”

The Frozen Crown operation required coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ICE, DEA, and Minnesota BCA, all of which worked together to hit multiple locations in a coordinated sweep. The arrests made were not limited to cartel members alone, as federal authorities also arrested several corrupt officials and business associates who aided in the cartel’s operations.

What Comes Next: Unanswered Questions and New Revelations

While the operation dealt a serious blow to MS-13 in the Midwest, federal agents caution that the investigation is far from over. Carlos Ventura’s arrest is seen as a major victory, but authorities suspect that there are still key operatives on the run, and that the cartel’s network may extend further than initially thought. Investigators are now focused on unraveling the full extent of the cartel’s financial empire, which could lead to additional arrests and seizures.

The $75 million in assets seized during the operation is just the tip of the iceberg, according to ICE Special Agent Michelle Turner. “We’ve only scratched the surface. Ventura and his network were responsible for trafficking far more than just these drugs. We expect to uncover additional financial networks and links to other organized crime groups as the investigation continues.”

The Impact on the Twin Cities and Beyond

The fallout from the Frozen Crown operation will likely have far-reaching consequences for the Twin Cities and surrounding regions. As MS-13’s influence begins to unravel, local authorities are bracing for potential retaliation from cartel affiliates and other criminal groups seeking to fill the power vacuum. The seizures and arrests have also raised concerns about the long-term infiltration of local industries, particularly those related to construction and real estate.

But for now, the Twin Cities can breathe a little easier, knowing that federal authorities have crippled a major cartel operation that had been thriving under their noses.

The Final Word

This operation marks a significant turning point in the fight against organized crime in the Midwest. While the Frozen Crown takedown has successfully disrupted MS-13’s operations in the region, law enforcement remains vigilant, knowing that the cartel’s reach may still extend much further. Authorities are committed to continuing their efforts to dismantle the cartel’s remaining network and ensure that the Twin Cities, as well as surrounding states, remain safe from this deadly criminal enterprise.