Richfield Man Caught With More Than 3 Ounces of Cocaine

Richfield man Miguel Alexander Melgar-Flores, 30, has been charged with felony drug sales after police say they found more than 3 ounces of cocaine in his Richfield apartment, along with a handgun, a scale and $5,000 in cash.

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Officers with the Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Melgar-Flores’ apartment in the 7000 block of Cedar Avenue South on April 13.

According to the criminal complaint, compiled by Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Hintz, police arrested Melgar-Flores when they arrived. During a subsequent search of the apartment, they found 85.6 grams of cocaine, a .45-caliber handgun and a loaded magazine containing six .45-caliber bullets inside a cooler in the bedroom. Elsewhere in the bedroom, officers found $5,000 in cash and a digital scale

According to Hintz' report, Melgar-Flores waived his Miranda right to remain silent and told police that he had between 3.5 and 4 ounces of cocaine in the apartment, and admitted that he had been selling cocaine for the last year.

Melgar-Flores is being held in the Hennepin County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charge today in Hennepin County District Court.