Commander Steve Soyka advises that 2 men from Vadnais Heights, MN were arrested on July 25th, 2017 in connection with the sales of large quantities of methamphetamine in the St. Cloud area. Investigators with the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force received information that the two males were selling methamphetamine from their car in the St. Cloud area. The males were identified as Thoma Thao, 30 yo, of Vadnais Heights, MN and Yer Vang, 36 yo, of Vadnais Heights, MN.
The males were located in their vehicle in the 900 Block of Cooper Avenue South by investigators and a traffic stop was conducted in the area of Highway 15 and 2nd Street South with the assistance of the St. Cloud Police Department. During the stop it was discovered that the driver, Thao, had several outstanding warrants. Vang, the passenger, appeared to be under the influence and could not drive the vehicle. A K-9 was brought in and alerted on the car. A search incident to the arrest uncovered approximately 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and $800.00 in U.S. Currency.
Both Thao and Vang were transported to the Stearns County Jail and held for court on charges of 1st degree possession with intent to distribute. Thao also was held on his outstanding warrants.
The task force was assisted by the St. Cloud Police Department patrol division and the Cold Spring Police Department K-9 unit. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of officers from the St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and Little Falls Police Department, along with deputies from the Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Todd, and Morrison County Sheriff Offices.