Burnsville Man Arrested, $400,000 of Meth Seized During Early Morning Raid

The owner of a Burnsville barber shop was arrested after police allegedly found $400,000 worth of methamphetamine in his home during an early morning raid.

Albert Morris Johnson, 35, has been charged with two counts of controlled substance crimes in the first degree, each of which carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines.

Johnson also faces two felony weapons charges.

According to the criminal complaint against Johnson, the Dakota County Drug Task Force executed a knock-and-search warrant of Morris' home on River Woods Lane at 1:10 Wednesday morning. No one responded to repeated commands to open up, the complaint states, so officers busted down the door. Johnson and a woman were seen coming down the stairs as officers entered. Both were cuffed as officers searched the home.

Two children, aged 17 and 1, were also present at the time of the raid.

Police say they discovered 24 bags of a "clear crystal substance" in the laundry room, which amounted to 12 pounds in all. The substance tested positive in the field for meth. The estimated street value exceeds $400,000.

Authorities also seized $16,000 in cash and three handguns. The serial number had been effaced from one of the guns, a HI-Point Firearms Model JCP 40 S&W. Johnson was previously convicted of second degree assault in Sherburne County in 2009, and therefore is not legally allowed to possess firearms. 

Officers also searched Johnson's hair salon, Q&A Barber Shop, which is located on the 2000 block of Cliff Road East.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will review the case, which could result in federal charges against Johnson. He is currently in custody at the Dakota County Jail, held on $1.5 million bond ($1 million with conditions).

His next court appearance is scheduled for May 20.