MONTEVIDEO — Luis Enrique Leal was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to having nearly a pound of heroin and other drugs in his possession at his home.
The CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force and Montevideo Police Department officers had found the drugs during a search of Leal’s Montevideo home in January.
Leal, 26, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of first-degree drug possession and was sentenced in late May in Chippewa County District Court. He received a prison sentence of 10.5 years, with credit for 140 days served in jail. He was ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $1,075.
Leal is currently at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections website.
Under state law, Leal will serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence in custody, and the rest may be served on supervised release.
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At the time of sentencing, a first-degree drug sale charge was dismissed.
According to court records, a tip to law enforcement led to the search of Leal’s home.
Agents knocked on his door when they arrived, but when he did not come to the door, they used a ram to break it open.
The search yielded 400 grams of heroin, more than 14 ounces. Agents also found 23 grams of cocaine, which is nearly an ounce, and also almost an ounce of marijuana.
Authorities found drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale and baggies, in the home. One of the baggies tested positive for methamphetamine.
In a pants pocket, agents found $1,340 in cash and a notebook with a pay/owe sheet with names and contact information.
