More than 22 pounds of meth found during North Dakota traffic stop

October 10, 2022

THOMPSON, N.D. (KFGO) – A Chicago couple is facing federal drug-related charges after a North Dakota State Trooper found 22.6 lbs of methamphetamine inside a spare tire during a routine traffic stop Tuesday night.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol said the trooper stopped the couple on I-29 a mile south of Thompson, or about 10 miles south of Grand Forks, around 8:45 p.m. During the stop, the trooper found probable cause to believe there were illegal drugs in the car.

30-year-old Julian Madrigal and 26-year-old Alexa Martinez, both from Chicago, were arrested and federally charged with possession and intent to distribute meth.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $850,000.

The State Patrol was assisted by the Grand forks Narcotics Task Force and the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office.