Wabasha, MN (KROC-AM News) -  A Lake City man has been charged after he took possession of a vehicle from the Wabasha County impound lot that had almost five pounds of meth in it.

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The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office says 46-year-old Michael Mattison had left his vehicle on a rural road and it was towed to the impound lot.

Mattison was unaware that since the vehicle had been in the county’s custody it had been searched and 4.96 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $1,800.00 in cash were found.

Wabasha County Sheriff's Office (click to enlarge)
Wabasha County Sheriff's Office (click to enlarge)
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When Mattison arrived and took physical possession of the vehicle Tuesday, he was arrested by multiple members of law enforcement that were waiting for him.

Michael Mattison - Photo from Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
Michael Mattison - Photo from Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
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“That is a significant amount to be found in Wabasha County,” said Captain Curt Struwe of the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office. “That amount of meth has the ability to affect many lives here in Southeast Minnesota.”

Mattison admitted the methamphetamine was his and that he was selling it. He was charged with two counts of 1st degree controlled substance crime Thursday. His bail was set at $200,000. His next hearing is set for June 7th.

“What is alarming, is not just the large quantities of meth, but also the frequency,” Wabasha County Attorney Karrie Kelly said. "This is the second case my office has charged in just the past few months involving multiple pounds of methamphetamine.”

In March of this year, the Wabasha County Attorney’s Office charged 39-year-old Federico Hernandez-Mozqueda, with three counts of 1st-degree controlled substance crime.

Federico Hernandez-Mozqueda - Photo from Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
Federico Hernandez-Mozqueda - Photo from Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
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In that case, the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office had been alerted by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Police that they had intercepted a package containing over two pounds of methamphetamine. That package was addressed to Hernandez-Mozqueda and was sent to his residence in Plainview.

Wabasha County Deputies, along with other law enforcement agencies, obtained a warrant and searched that residence. In addition to recovering over 1.53 pounds of methamphetamine, they also found several thousand dollars in cash and a pistol.

“These cases show that methamphetamine is still rampant here in Wabasha,”  Struwe said. “The people of Wabasha should know that the Sheriff and the County Attorney are dedicated to keeping our citizens safe, and ensuring that those who bring these destructive substances into our county and into our homes are held accountable.”

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