4 face drug charges after St. Paul chase

Four men face drugs and conspiracy charges in the wake of a St. Paul police chase Tuesday night that ended with one suspect being shot and wounded by an officer.

Authorities recovered 30 pounds of marijuana and 6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in a search of one of two vehicles being pursued that night, according to the charges filed Friday in Ramsey County District Court.

Authorities put the street value of the drugs at $265,000.

Charged with conspiring to sell the drugs were: Miguel Lorenzanovilla, 23; Albert D. Huerta, 24; Juan Ayala Gutierrez, 27; and Basurto M. Estaquio, 27. They also were charged with possessing methamphetamine and possessing the drug with intent to sell.

About 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police began pursuing two vehicles -- a black Yukon and a white Chevrolet Impala -- that had been seen leaving a residence that investigators were monitoring for suspected methamphetamine and marijuana trafficking.

After officers turned on their squad car lights, the Yukon stopped, and Lorenzanovilla and Huerta -- both armed -- took off on foot, according to the charges.

Huerta, who later said that he had been given a gun and ordered to run by Lorenzanovilla, dropped the weapon and surrendered to police.

Authorities say Estaquio and Gutierrez were believed to have been riding in the Impala, which was left in a school parking lot in the 200 block of Western Avenue N. They hitched a ride to an East Side restaurant, where they were arrested.

The marijuana and methamphetamine -- as well as $20,000 in cash -- were recovered from the Yukon, the charges say.

In statements to police:

Huerta said that he had been in Minnesota for six days and was looking to Lorenzanovilla to get him a restaurant job.

Lorenzanovilla said that he was from Mexico and had been in Minnesota for about a year. He denied having a gun.

Estaquio said he had been in St. Paul for two days and was hoping to get a job as a cook.

The four men are being held in the county jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Anthony Lonetree • 612-875-0041