Police Intercept 56.8 Pounds of Marijuana Hidden in Boxes Shipped to Eagan

A St. Paul man is facing felony drug charges after police intercepted several boxes containing nearly 60 pounds of marijuana that were mailed to a shipping company in Eagan.

Cher Yang, 38, was charged with one felony, third-degree count of possession of a controlled substance and one felony, third-degree count of possession with the intent to sell. If convicted on either count, Yang could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

On April 10, police in Chicago were called to a shipping company after employees discovered a box of marijuana among a group of 25 packages. Drug Enforcement Agents searched through all the boxes and found four additional boxes containing marijuana, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office. All of the boxes were routed through Chicago on their way to Eagan.

At 2:50 p.m. on April 15, police say Yang and two others arrived at a shipping company in Eagan to pick up the boxes. The five boxes were packed into a pickup truck driven by Yang, and the three people left the business driving two cars. Police stopped both vehicles on Interstate 494 just west of Robert Street, according to the complaint.

Officers spoke with Yang, who told police he had been contacted by an individual in California. The contact learned that Yang ordered store supplies from California, and allegedly convinced Yang to ship the marijuana concealed in a routine supply order.

Yang told police he was instructed to deliver the marijuana to another individual off Hwy. 61 near Hastings. In return, the contacts offered to pay Yang $10,000, he told police.

Police later tested and weighed the contents of the boxes, and determined that Yang was in possession of 56.8 pounds of marijuana.