MANKATO — A Mankato man is facing charges after an investigation by the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force led to multiple controlled drug purchases and the seizure of nearly 28 grams of cocaine.
Aaron Lavon Hampton, 48, was identified as a suspect during an ongoing investigation into cocaine sales in Blue Earth County.
Three controlled buys were conducted in Mankato in July and August using a confidential informant, each resulting in the purchase of a substance that tested positive for cocaine, according to the court complaint. The amounts purchased were 3.2 grams, 5.5 grams and 8.8 grams, respectively, stated the charging complaint filed in Blue Earth County District Court.
Search warrants were carried out following the purchases. Authorities reported finding 5.5 grams of cocaine packaged in five separate bags in a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle parked at Hampton’s North Mankato residence. An additional 2.1 grams were found in a 2008 Cadillac Escalade driven by Hampton. In total, 27.9 grams of cocaine were seized, the complaint said.