Hennepin County prosecutors say they will seek the maximum possible sentence for a convicted Bloomington heroin dealer as part of efforts to crack down on the opioid's hold on Minnesota.

A jury found 30-year-old Igor Albantov guilty of first-degree sale of heroin Friday afternoon after four hours' deliberation. He is scheduled for sentencing May 26 and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman's office said they will seek an 11-year prison term, the maximum allowed under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.

"This office, along with county attorneys throughout Minnesota, worked hard last year to get the Minnesota Legislature to go easier on people possessing and selling a small amount of drugs," Freeman said in a statement. "At the same time, we successfully argued for longer sentences for bigger dealers and Mr. Albantov is a perfect example. We will be asking for a long prison term."

Albantov was also convicted of possessing 25 grams or more of heroin.

According to the criminal complaint and trial testimony, Bloomington police were patrolling the area around the Extended Stay motel, 7956 Lyndale Av. S. when they watched a man walk out of the bushes and approach a vehicle. The officers walked up to the man and began questioning him, making him nervous.

Upon search of their vehicle with their consent, the officers found heroin. The man told the police he snorts the drug and bought it from Albantov.

Police then noticed a man in the motel parking lot, who matched the description of Albantov, leaning into a tan vehicle. A police dog indicated there were drugs in Albantov's vehicle and a search found nearly 44 grams of heroin. According to testimony at the trial, that would be enough for 215 to 430 doses Albantov could sell. He also was carrying $3,247 in cash.

Salman Yousafzai • 612-673-4487